CRM/LAW C163 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Categorical Imperative, Kantian Ethics, Immanuel Kant

• School: UC-Irvine
• Department: Criminology, Law and Society
• Course: CRM/LAW C163
• Professor: Geoff Ward

Document Summary

Ethical dilemma = situation where there is a question of right and wrong and what you should do; how you should act, the choice you should make (cid:1) (cid:1) (cid:1) (cid:1) (cid:1) (cid:1) Law is not a reliable basis on moral reasoning. We have an obligation to do what is right; it is our duty to adhere to moral rules = deontology (cid:1) (cid:1) (cid:1) (cid:1) According to immanuel kant, a deontological moral philosopher and moral absolutist, morality depends on following absolute rules. Duty = what we are obligated to do: the challenge is to impose a moral law on ourselves, and to have the will and courage to obey it. Utilitarianism = depends on consequence and greatest utility; lying in some situations might have great utility and be morally justified; in other situations not; no absolute rule about dishonesty (cid:1) (cid:1) Deontological argument = violation of integrity, fundamentally wrong.