Activity: Strengths and Weaknesses - Fill in the boxes

by peter

October 14, 2015

Activity: Fill in your own ideas in the blank spaces – with three strengths and three weaknesses

Rigidity Kant gave the example of the murderer who asks: “is your friend hiding in the house?” and argued “to be honest in all deliberations is a sacred and absolutely commanding decree of reason…whoever tells a lie must answer for the consequences”. But aren’t we responsible too when we tell the truth and our friend is killed?

Kant believed that lying could not be adopted universally as a good thing because it would be self-defeating: trust would go and we would hurt each other.

Consistency We are consistent in how we apply rules (we don’t exempt ourselves or others), and how we treat people (as “ends” with dignity and rights).

“Moral reasons, if they are valid at all, are binding on all people at all times..it implies that a person cannot regard himself as special, from a moral point of view…that his interests are more important than others” Rachels (2007:126)

Harshness – retribution Kant believed in an eye for an eye and hanging murderers: “an evil deed draws punishment on itself”. Respecting people’s rationality means holding them accountable for their actions. If someone is kind to you be kind back..and vice versa. Retribution (correct payment for wrongdoing) is good as it respects dignity and consistency.

“Reward and punishment are the natural expression of gratitude and resentment”. Rachels (2007:137)