Justice: What's The Right Thing To Do? Episode 06: QUESTIONS

Immanuel Kant

1. What are the two main themes of Kant’s Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals?

2. What does Kant have to say about utilitarianism?

3. When we, like animals, seek after pleasure or the satisfaction of our desires, are we acting freely? Why? Why not?

4. What is the Kantian insight buried into the advertising slogan for Sprite: “Obey your thirst!”?

5. What is autonomy according to Kant, and why is autonomy the opposite of the dictates of nature?

6. Why, according to Kant, is it important to respect the dignity of persons, and to uphold their rights?

7. A. What is Kant’s Conception of Freedom?

B. What is Kant’s Conception of Morality? (i.e., what gives an action its “moral worth”?)

C. What links them together?

8. What is the supreme principle of morality? Discuss, in detail, the 3 sets of contrasts, oppositions, dualisms that are related to it.

9. Discuss, in detail, the 3 formulas of the Categorical Imperative.

10. What is the test for a maxim (principle)?

11. Discuss Mill’s criticism of Kant’s test for the universality of a maxim. What would be a defense against this criticism?

12. How is the Duty not to commit suicide related to the duty not to commit murder?