Deck 12: The Kantian Perspective: Autonomy, Free Will, and Respect

Question 1

Write an essay explaining Kant's principle of humanity. State the principle clearly and define any key terms. Give examples to make clear how we are supposed to apply the principle. Does this principle provide a better test of the morality of actions than the principle of universalizability? Why or why not?

Answer 1

No Answer.

Question 2

Kant claims that humans have a special kind of value not possessed by anything else on earth. How does he justify this claim? What are the implications of this view regarding the moral status of non-human animals? Do you find this view plausible?

Answer 2

No Answer.

Question 3

What gives actions moral worth, according to Kant? Compare Kant's view on this subject with the view of the utilitarian. Which view do you think is preferable, and why?

Answer 3

No Answer.

Question 4

What is moral luck, and why would the existence of moral luck be a problem for Kant's theory? Do you think moral luck exists? Defend your answer.

Question 5

Write an essay presenting in detail what you take to be the strongest objection to Kant's principle of humanity. Explain the objection and try to formulate the strongest reply you can on Kant's behalf. Do you think the objection succeeds? Why or why not?

Question 6

Compare and contrast Kant's principle of humanity with his principle of universalizability (from the previous chapter). Are there any cases where the two principles render conflicting verdicts about the moral status of an action? If so, do you think one of the principles could be revised so as to make them consistent? If not, why do you think that the principles will always agree?

Question 7

According to utilitarianism, slavery

A) is intrinsically wrong.
B) can never be justified.
C) can be justified under certain circumstances.
D) Both a and b

Question 8

According to Kant, the only thing that is valuable in all circumstances is

A) happiness.
B) wisdom.
C) wealth.
D) the good will.

Question 9

Kant believed that it is possible to be motivated

A) only if we have some desire to prompt us to action.
B) only if we have some emotion to prompt us to action.
C) from an understanding of our moral duty, without any desire or emotion.
D) without any beliefs or desires whatsoever.

Question 10

In Kant's view, your action has moral worth if and only if

A) you do what duty requires.
B) you do it because you understand that it is the right thing to do.
C) it maximizes happiness.
D) it is performed out of a desire to benefit others.

Question 11

In order to determine what people deserve, Kant recommended that we consult

A) the principle of lex talionis.
B) the principle of utility.
C) the golden rule.
D) the principle of mens rea.

Question 12

The principle of an eye for an eye

A) does not take intentions into account in determining punishment.
B) cannot tell us how to punish crimes that have not harmed anyone.
C) sometimes prescribes punishments that seem deeply immoral.
D) All of the above

Question 13

Something is a case of moral luck if

A) the morality of one's action depends on factors outside of one's control.
B) someone does the right thing but with the wrong intentions.
C) the morality of one's action depends on one's intentions.
D) the morality of one's action depends on factors within one's control.

Question 14

According to Kant, under what conditions is punishment always unjust?

A) When the punishment has bad overall effects
B) When the criminal is not autonomous
C) When the punishment is severe
D) All of the above

Question 15

According to Kant's theory, non-human animals

A) are the moral equals of humans.
B) have some moral rights, but not to the same degree as humans.
C) have no moral rights.
D) are moral agents.

Question 16

Which of the following is Kant's principle of humanity?

A) Always treat a human being as an end, never as a mere means.
B) Always act so as to maximize the well-being of humanity.
C) Always act on maxims that all of humanity accepts.
D) None of the above

Question 17

What is the only thing that has value in all circumstances, according to Kant?

A) Happiness
B) The satisfaction of desires
C) Wisdom
D) The good will

Question 18

When did Kant think that actions are truly praiseworthy?

A) When they are motivated by benevolence
B) When they are done in accordance with duty
C) When they are performed from the good will
D) When the consequences are optimific

Question 19

What is motivating a person who acts from the good will?

A) An understanding of what is morally required
B) A desire to benefit others
C) The emotion of empathy
D) A desire for reward

Question 20

What principle did Kant think tells us what criminals deserve?

A) The golden rule
B) Lex talionis
C) The principle of utility
D) The principle of non-contradiction

Question 21

Which of the following characterizes cases of moral luck?

A) One does the right thing for the wrong reasons.
B) One does the right thing for the right reasons.
C) The morality of an action depends on factors within one's control.
D) The morality of an action depends on factors outside of one's control.

Question 22

Which of the following claims, if true, would refute Kant's theory?

A) People are not autonomous.
B) People often behave immorally.
C) Some people lack the good will.
D) All of the above

Question 23

Which of the following claims about non-human animals did Kant not endorse?

A) They have no moral rights.
B) They lack rationality and autonomy.
C) Abusing them can have bad consequences.
D) It is permissible to treat them in any way we like.