Kantian Ethics
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Assess Kantian Ethics
The Kantian approach to the study of ethics claims that in out moral lives we ought to be guided by rules of duty, never to be broken, regardless of consequences. It is the duty (intention) behind the action which is important, not the consequences, and anything done out of inclination has no moral worth.
The moral action should follow a categorical imperative-a law valid for the will of every rational being, it applies universally and unconditionally. There are two categorical imperatives, "Act as though the maxim of your action were by your will to become a universal law of nature" and "Treat others as ends in themselves, not just a means to your ends".
Kant believes there are four main duties. A perfect duty to self (a duty which has no exceptions is 'perfect' e.g. suicide. You should always refrain from committing suicide because you have a duty to preserve life. The second duty is an imperfect duty to self (a duty with exceptions is 'imperfect', for example, you have been given talents which you have a duty to develop but if you have more than one talent you cannot possibly develop them all...