Deontological Theories

Transcription

1 The Formula of Humanity as an End in Itself (FHEI) Dr. Clea F. Rees Canolfan Addysg Gydol Oes Prifysgol Caerdydd Centre for Lifelong Learning Cardiff University Yr Hydref/Autumn 2014 Image: Flockton Hedgehog Rescue, 2005

2 Outline Outline Formula of Humanity as an End in Itself (FHEI) Applying FHEI: Determining One s Duty Friends, Ends & the Cinema Toby, Peter & Appendicitis Autonomous Beings, Rationality & Personhood Respecting Persons as Ends in Themselves Image: Flockton Hedgehog Rescue, 2005

3 Formula of Humanity as an End in Itself (FHEI) Formula of Humanity as an End in Itself (FHEI) Formula of Humanity as an End in Itself (FHEI) Always act so as to treat rational beings as ends in themselves, and never merely as means. Respect people. Don t use people. This is Kant s second statement of The Categorical Imperative: i.e. of the single, comprehensive ethical principle; i.e. of the Only Guide You Need! Kant claims the FHEI and FUL are equivalent.

4 Applying FHEI: Determining One s Duty Applying FHEI: Determining One s Duty FHEI is a test one uses to determine one s duty. One uses it to decide whether a maxim is morally acceptable or not. Hence, one can decide whether an action is morally acceptable or not.

5 Applying FHEI: Determining One s Duty Friends, Ends & the Cinema Applying FHEI: Determining One s Duty Friends, Ends & the Cinema Is it permissible to ask your friend to go to the cinema with you? Applying FHEI: Why would you be asking? 1. you d really rather go alone, but think SHE d enjoy the film. O.K. 2. know she ll hate but, but YOU don t want to go alone treating her merely as means WRONG 3. know SHE ll enjoy it one reason; also YOU ll enjoy it more second reason treating her as means, but not merely also as end in herself O.K.

6 Toby, Peter & Appendicitis Toby, Peter & Appendicitis What, if anything, justifies the different responses? Images: appendicitis: NIH/MedlinePlus; bag: scalpel: Whitney, 1911 (FCIT, 2014)

7 One has the capacity for autonomy if one is capable of making decisions about one s own life. To be able to do this, one must be capable of reasoning and of understanding, within reasonable limits, information and options that is, one must be rational.

8 Who has it? you, me, all healthy adult human beings, maybe some others Who doesn t? goldfish, oak trees, cats, dogs, small children, some adult humans & hedgehogs Hedgehog: Flockton Hedgehog Rescue, 2005

9 Autonomous Beings All rational beings have autonomy; no non-rational beings have it.

10 Autonomous Beings, Rationality & Personhood Autonomous Beings, Rationality & Personhood Who counts as a person? Who doesn t? Person A being is a person if, and only if, the being is rational. Autonomous Beings All, and only, persons, have autonomy.

11 Respecting Persons as Ends in Themselves Respecting Persons as Ends in Themselves Treating Persons as Ends in Themselves Treating persons as ends in themselves, and never merely as means, requires respecting them as persons. Respecting persons involves respecting their autonomy. Respecting persons autonomy involves allowing them to exercise their autonomy. Allowing persons to exercise their autonomy involves allowing them to exercise their capacity to make their own decisions.