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Chapter Ten: Ethics as Equal Freedom: Respecting Each
Learning Objectives of Chapter Ten
1. Define motivations as they relate to rights.
3. Recall both the hypothetical and the categorical imperatives.
5. Discuss how autonomy relates to moral worth.
6. Analyze current events in business within the framework of Kantian ethics.
SUMMARY: Chapter Ten discusses the motivations that underpin rights and introduces
the Kantian theory of good will. Both the hypothetical and categorical imperatives are
explained. The chapter also discusses universalization and autonomy as tools for
ascertaining whether an act is done with good will.
The Source of Moral Worth
The right motivation is where moral value comes from. Kantian theory:
Instead of an action being morally required because of its consequences, an
action gets its moral worth from the character of the will that chooses it.
o Is the will good will?
Morality becomes a question of how the will is determined. Two kinds of influences
on human will:
Animal or nonrational nature (wants, desires, instincts, and inclinations)
A hypothetical imperative is a command to will the means required to achieve your
ends, whatever they are.
A categorical imperative commands, not conditionally, but categorically or
Universalization As a Source of Duties
An action that is done out of inclination could be right in accordance with our duty.
But is has no moral worth. An action with a wrong inclination is also morally
worthless.
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Kantian morality requires only one categorical imperative:
he same time will that is should
Autonomy As a Source of Rights
Kant locates morality in acting rationally in doing only what we could and still will
universalization. Therefore, rational agency is the ultimate source of moral value.
The Kantian Company
ssing which rights people
have.
The Kantian approach has significant implications for business. Examples are:
The Kantian Firm in the Marketplace: Revisiting Deception
Kantian ethics refutes the idea that lying is acceptable practice in business. It