Question

1.What is the etymology of the word “Deontology” and its relationship with the non-consequentialist approach? 3.When Kant refers to “good will” or “good intention”, does he mean wishing others well? 4.What does Kant mean by “acting out of duty”? How does the shoe-keeper exemplify this? 5.What is the basic difference between a categorical and hypothetical imperative? 6.Explain Kant’s use of the first form of the categorical imperative to argue that is wrong to make a false promise. 7.According to the second form of Kant’s categorical imperative, would it be morally permissible for me to agree to be someone’s slave? Explain.

Answer 1

1.The term "Deontology" is from "DEON" greek for obligation. It refers to the theory or study of moral obligation,duty and right action.

2."Deontology" is the normative ethical position that judges the morality of an action based on rules where as "Non-consequentialist approach says the rightness or wrongness of an act depends at least in part on something other than the good ness or badness of the consequenses. A non- consequentialist simply claims that goodness or badness of the consequences is not the only thing that determines moral rightness or wrongness.

3. Kant refers the good will is the only thing that is good in and of itself. Regardless of ends,disentangled from subjective wants and desires,the good will is its own end. Further he stated when we act, whether or not we achieve what we intend with our actions is often beyond our control, so the morality of our actions doesnot depend upon their out come, what we can control however is the will behind the action. kant says that a person's will is only good if they are motivated by duty nothing else.

4. Acting out of duty is acting accordance with the demands of law, not for any particular goal.

A shoe - keeper might decide to charge a reasonable price for his shoes because it is the right dutiful thing to do, main intention is to keep customers. But he doesn't get any moral credit for it.