Instructor Resource Manual – Ethics: Theory and Contemporary Issues, 9e – MacKinnon & Fiala
Chapter 6: Deontological Ethics and Immanuel Kant
Learning Outcomes
• Explain the difference between consequentialist and non-consequentialist approaches to
ethics.
• Describe different deontological approaches to ethics.
• Explain the difference between hypothetical and categorical imperatives.
• Describe two formulations of the categorical imperative.
• Explain the difference between perfect and imperfect duties.
• Apply Kantian reasoning to a variety of cases in the real world.
• Defend your own thesis with regard to the value of deontological ethics.
Associated Readings
1. Kant, “Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysics of Morals” from Fundamental
Principles of the Metaphysics of Morals, secs. 1 & 2.
Getting Started
One way to get started in a discussion of deontological ethics is to ask the students about their
duties and obligations. Which types of duties are primary? How do they determine which duties
must be fulfilled?
Another way to begin discussion of Kant’s moral theory is to ask students to read the case that
begins this chapter, the Tuskegee experiment, and ask whether they think that the experiment
was justified. One can then distinguish reasons that appeal to the consequences or utilitarian
considerations from reasons that rely on valuing autonomy, a key ingredient of Kant’s moral
theory.
Key Terms
Deontological ethics: normative theory that morality ought to be focused on duties and
adherence to rules and imperatives (associated with Kant).
Hypothetical imperative: Kantian idea of a conditional rule that governs prudential behaviors and
skilled activities aimed at procuring or producing some conditional good (versus categorical
imperative).
Instructor Resource Manual – Ethics: Theory and Contemporary Issues, 9e – MacKinnon & Fiala
Categorical imperative: Kantian idea about the universal form of the moral law, which is not
based on hypothetical or conditional interests; Kant’s formulation: “act only according to that
maxim, whereby you can will that it should also be a universal law” (versus hypothetical
imperative).
Kingdom of ends: Kantian ideal of rational, moral society in which persons are respected as ends
in themselves.
Absolutism: metaethical idea that there are eternal and unchanging values and rules (versus
relativism).
Perfect/necessary duties: Kantian idea about duties of justice that we always ought to do or that
we always ought to avoid (versus imperfect/meritorious duties).
Imperfect/meritorious duties: Kantian idea about duties of virtue that are admirable and
praiseworthy but not always necessary (versus perfect/necessary duties).
Answers to End of Chapter Review Exercises
1. Kant, for example, opposes locating the moral worth of an action in its consequences because
2. No. When Kant refers to “good intention,” he rather means that our will (or capacity to choose
3. Acting “out of duty” means acting from a motive to do what is right, simply out of respect for
4. The basic difference between a categorical and hypothetical imperative is that the former
Instructor Resource Manual – Ethics: Theory and Contemporary Issues, 9e – MacKinnon & Fiala
Questions for Further Thought
1. Can you think of any examples (other than the one described at the beginning of this chapter)
in which voluntary consent is morally significant? Use Kant’s first and second forms of the
categorical imperative to analyze your example.
2. Do you think that intention affects the moral character of an action? How would you assess the
moral character of a good act done with a bad intention? How would you assess the moral
character of a bad act done with a good intention? Elaborate.
3. Do you think that moral obligation is categorical in the sense given this term by Kant? Why or
why not? Which form of Kant’s categorical imperative do you like best? Why?
Answers to the Study Questions for
Kant, “Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysics of Morals”
1. In essence, Kant’s basic moral principle says that I should only do those things that I could
2. A rule of skill is a principle telling me what means I should use, or what techniques work best,
3. Example 1: I want to know whether I can end my life to escape suffering. I must ask whether I
can will this as a universal practice. With regard to the first form of the categorical imperative,
