© 2004 John Waters, Socratic Ideas Ltd – All Rights Reserved

VOCABULARY SCHOLARS KEY ISSUESEXAMPLES

QUOTESHISTORICALOVERVIEW

The EnlightenmentThe Good WillReasonA prioriA posterioriCategorical Imperative(Hypotheticalimperative)Duty for duty’s sakeAutonomyHeteronomyNoumenal realmPhenomenal realmSummum Bonum(Highest Good)Moral GuarantorPrima facie duties

Plato

Rousseau

Isaac Newton

David Hume

Kant

W.D. Ross

Deontology versusconsequentialism

Tension between reasonand emotions.

Rationally theindividual isautonomous.

Is duty its own rewardor is it necessary topostulate God as amoral guarantor?

To what extent dopeople have genuinefreedom?

Is Kant speciesist? Issueof animal rights.

Duty – cold andimpersonal?

Conflicting duties, theissue of abortion, viewsof Mother Teresa orthose of Judith JarvisThomson.

Duty: cold andimpersonal, AdolfEichmann trial.

Kant’s Lutheranbackground influencingthe summum bonum.

Rousseau’s SocialContract, influencingKant – freedom anddignity.

The grocer – who sellshis goods at a low priceto attract trade, anexample of thehypothetical imperative.

“Unless reason takesthe reins of governmentinto its own hands, thefeelings andinclinations play themaster over the man.”

“The good will shinesforth like a preciousjewel.” (Kant)

“Everything in natureworks in accordancewith laws. Only arational being has thepower to act inaccordance with hisidea of laws – that is ina c c o r d a n c e w i t hprinciples – and only sohas he a will.” (Kant)

Platonic Tradition(intelligible / noumenalsensible / phenomenal)

Lutheran Background

Newtonian laws ofnature (18th century)

Reaction againstHume’s emphasis onemotions / passions.

The Enlightenment

20th century – W.D.Ross – prima facieduties