PHL105Y5 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Kantianism
Document Summary
The value of of our choices is the capacity to choose our own decisions (autonomy) Economic circumstances destroy the poor"s capacity to choose their pursuits: if one is poor, they cannot exercise their capacity to choose. A kantian would say to ignore the poor is to intentionally do something that disrespects autonomy: allowing the destruction of somebody"s ability to autonomy (independence) Explains justice kantianism best explains it: one ought to act justly, respecting other rights, not to violate others rights. The problem for utilitarianism is that: sometimes the option that improves overall well being will violate others rights. Torturing an innocent person to prevent terrorist attack. Framing an innocent person to stop a riot. Killing a petty thief to deter others. These all disrespect autonomy: the examples all treat others as non autonomic people they do not consent to being used in that purpose. To respect rights is to respect autonomy.
