Kantian Ethics Leadership Ethics NAV 4402 06 FEB

Kantian Ethics Leadership & Ethics (NAV 4402) 06 FEB 07 SSgt Thomas Buettner

Objectives n n n Understand Kantian Ethics Be able to apply Kantian Ethics to different scenarios/cases Be able to distinguish the differences between Utilitarianism and Kantianism

Kant’s Philosophy n n n Autonomous Decisions Deontology (Deon = Duty) Actions in themselves are right or wrong Ethical rules should never be broken Human value Duties – used to derive reason and moral decision

TAKE HOME MESSAGE Kantianism Categorical Imperative 1 “ACT ONLY ACCORDING TO THE MAXIM THAT YOU COULD WILL TO BE A UNIVERSAL LAW”

TAKE HOME MESSAGE Kantianism Categorical Imperative 2 “YOU SHOULD USE AN INDIVIDUAL, EITHER YOURSELF OR ANOTHER, AS AN END AND NEVER AS A MEANS ONLY”

n Identify the maxim CAT 1 n Can the maxim be willed to be universalized ? (Is there a contradiction in means or will? ) If “NO” then do it! CAT 2 n Does the maxim involve treating individuals as ends only? If “YES” then do it!

Terms MAXIM (intention) - A personal rule on which we make our decisions

Terms DUTY What a rational being should do. Something to be done because it should be done not to achieve praise or reward. - It is all about MAXIMS

Categorical Imperative Deontology Intentions are important not consequences 1. Universalization 2. Duty 3. Using Persons as Ends in themselves not Means

Strength’s of Kantian Ethics -Duty: Commitment to stay the course regardless of consequences -Respect for Humanity: Treatment of people as ends -Formula for perfect human life?

Weakness of Kantian Ethics - Too rigid? - What is our duty? - Conflicting Duty/Maxims? - Intentions Vs Consequences

KANTIAN VS. UTILITARIANISM Greatest Happiness Principle The rightness or wrongness of an act depends upon the consequences. (the END Justifies the MEANS) n n n KANTIAN ETHICS Supreme Principle of Morality The rightness or wrongness of an act depends upon universal laws of action (the END never Justifies the MEANS) It is all about DUTY n n

Case Study Illegal Immigrant Worker Situation: Your uncle owns a construction company and pays his immigrant employees “under the table” for $2 less than minimum wage. External Info: Your uncle, in your opinion, is a great guy that has many talents and has a family of four; your dad works for him too. Question: An IRS agent asks you to see the tax records for the employees because you are the accountant and you just started working for your uncle last week. What do you do?

Scenario #1 n You are a nurse (thank you Ojard) and a patient has come in with an acute case of inflamed appendix. The doctor says to the patient that he/she must have it removed. The doctor leaves and the patient tell you that he/she is leaving the hospital because he/she does not want to do it. What do you say to the patient?

Have you seen/heard this before? “an individual who can be counted upon to do what we know we must and ought to do, even when there are no external forms of incentive or accountability in place”