Single Idea 6695

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / D. Deontological Ethics / 2. Duty]

Full Idea

An implausible and uncomfortable conclusion to be drawn from Kant's conception of morality is that we must attribute high moral worth to deeply unattractive human lives.

Gist of Idea

Kant has to attribute high moral worth to some deeply unattractive human lives

Source

report of Immanuel Kant (Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals [1785]) by Gordon Graham - Eight Theories of Ethics Ch.6

Book Reference

Graham,Gordon: 'Eight Theories of Ethics' [Routledge 2004], p.123


A Reaction

Graham quotes a loathsome character from a Victorian novel, who coldly 'does her duty'. Indeed it might be that a robot could be programmed with the categorical imperative (though it would need a table of values first). Virtue theory is the answer.