Kantian Ethics
Kantian ethics is a deontological framework that emphasizes duty and moral rules over consequences. Proposed by Immanuel Kant, it asserts that moral actions are those performed out of a sense of obligation to universal principles, such as honesty and respect. Kant believed that actions should be guided by maxims that could be universally applied—meaning everyone should act in the same way in similar situations. This approach aligns with moral absolutism, as it argues that certain actions are intrinsically right or wrong, regardless of circumstances. Kant's ideas also contrast with contractarianism, which focuses on mutual agreements in social interactions.
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Kantian ethics, developed by philosopher Immanuel Kant, emphasizes that moral actions are based on duty and universal principles, rather than consequences. According to Kant, individuals should act according to maxims that can be universally applied, meaning that if everyone followed the same rule, it would lead to a just world. Central to this philosophy is the concept of treating others as ends in themselves, not merely as means to an end, thereby respecting their inherent dignity. In essence, Kantian ethics focuses on the intention behind actions and adherence to moral law, rather than the outcomes of those actions.