Deontology

1. Duty as the basis of morality.
   1. Absolute
   2. Duty for Duty's sake.
      1. You cannot predict consequences, so we should not assess the worth of an action by them
   3. Feeling and inclination cannot be the baisis for moral action.
      1. We cannot order ourselves to feel something (i.e. love, sympathy)
         1. This cannot be our duty.

            Nota:

            • We OUGHT to do our duty. OUGHT implies CAN. Our duty cannot be anything which we are unable to do.

1. All humans strive to achieve the summum bonum.
   1. It is not possible to achieve it in one lifetime, so we must be immortal in order to continue to strive towards the supreme good.
2. Belief in God is logical to explain our thoughts and actions, but it cannot be proved.

Nota:

• Without freedom, we would not be able to make moral 'choices'. The ability to freely rationalize is what separates humans from animals, which is why freedom is important.

Nota:

• Good will is the highest form of good. It can also be understood as meaning duty. To do one's duty is to perform a morally right action. All moral good comes from duty. Happiness is good, but it is a 'lesser' good.

1. "To tell a falsehood to a murderer who asked us whether our friend, of whom he was in pursuit had not taken refuge in our house, would be a crime."

1. Hypothetical Imperatives
2. Categorical Imperatives.