Kantian Ethics

Kantian ethics is a deontological (duty-based) moral theory developed by the German philosopher Immanuel Kant (1724–1804). It is one of the most important ethical systems in Western philosophy and a key theory on the AQA A-Level Religious Studies specification. Kant argued that morality is grounded not in consequences, emotions, or divine commands, but in reason and duty. The morally right action is the one performed out of a sense of duty in accordance with universal rational principles.

Key Definition: Kantian ethics is a deontological theory that holds that moral actions are those performed out of duty and in accordance with the categorical imperative — universal rational principles discoverable by reason alone.

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Duty and Good Will

Kant argued that the only thing that is unqualifiedly good is a good will — the will to do what is right because it is right, regardless of the consequences.

Key Definition: A good will is the will to act out of duty — to do the morally right thing simply because it is the morally right thing, not because of expected rewards, personal inclinations, or consequences.

Kant distinguished between two types of motivation: