Active learning ideas
Kantian Deontological Ethics provides a stark contrast to Utilitarianism by focusing on duty and intention rather than consequences. Students explore Kant's belief that morality is grounded in reason and that certain actions are 'categorically' wrong, regardless of the outcome. The core of the topic is the Categorical Imperative, specifically the Universalisation and Humanity formulations.
Activity 01
Students take common actions (making a false promise, stealing when poor, laziness) and try to 'universalise' them. They must explain the 'contradiction in conception' or 'contradiction in will' that makes the action wrong.
What is the difference between a hypothetical and a categorical imperative?
Activity 02
Based on Kant's famous example, students act out a scene where a murderer asks for the location of a friend. They must try to find a way to stay 'Kantian' (not lying) without causing the friend's death, exploring the problem of conflicting duties.
Can moral duties be absolute?
Activity 03
Stations show different modern scenarios (internships, clinical trials, fast fashion). Students must judge whether the people involved are being treated 'merely as a means' or also as 'ends in themselves'.
How does Kant's theory handle conflicting duties?
A few notes on teaching this unit
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
Students think 'universalise' just means 'what if everyone did that?'.
Kant isn't asking about the *consequences* of everyone doing it; he's asking if the action becomes *logically impossible*. Active modeling of a 'world without promises' helps students see the logical contradiction Kant is pointing to.
Students believe Kant says we should never have emotions.
Kant doesn't say emotions are bad; he just says they shouldn't be the *motive* for moral action. Peer-led 'motive checks' can help students distinguish between doing something because you feel like it and doing it because it's your duty.
Methods used in this brief
Utilitarianism
Students explore act, rule, and preference utilitarianism. They will evaluate the hedonistic calculus and the principle of utility.
8 methodologies
Aristotelian Virtue Ethics
Students investigate Aristotle's concept of eudaimonia and the doctrine of the mean. They will assess the role of character and practical wisdom in ethics.
8 methodologies