PHILOS 341 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Atomism, Supererogation, Litmus
Notes 1/29
Re-Cap on Consequentialism
1. Good is prior to right
a. Maximize amount of good
b. "good"- hedonist, pluralist
2. Calculation with the good
a. Weigh things- how is this going to end up?
b. Rules of ethics/prudence
2. Egalitarian (belief that everyone is morally equal)
3. Impartiality
a. Can't put weight on your relationship to make decisions
3 considerations in moral thought that differ from consideration of the good:
1. Options
a. Supererogation- doing something above and beyond the line of duty, ex. Giving to
charity (we admire people to give to charity, but we do not require)
b. Nice, but not mandatory
2. Special obligations
a. Value friends and family over others
2. Constraints
a. Prohibitions
b. EX: even if you could save lives by torturing someone, there are certain things you can
not do
The essence of deontology- right is prior to the good
1. We are sometimes required (per 2,3) not to maximize the good
2. Agent- relativity (p.40)
a. Our moral reasons are given to us in virtue of your relationship to someone
b. Your brother asks you for something, then you may owe it to him, because he is your
brother. That's all.
c. Promises
Vs. Consequentialism (they don't care about you as an individual, they care about the good for the
world)
1. You must always seek to maximize the good
2. The good is to be promoted in general
Varieties of Deontology
1. Kantian (1720-1804)
a. "Groundwork" (1785)
a.i. Nature of morality follows upon the nature of rationality
a.ii. Rational: acting for reasons- general principle/rule as being the individuals
actions follow
a.iii. Hypothetical Imperative: "If…then"
a.iv. The Formula of Universal Law (p. 40)
a.v. Maxim actions (would eventually contradict itself
a.vi. Categorical imperative
a.i.1. Litmus test
a.i.2. Contradiction (immoral)
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