What are the strengths and weaknesses of Kantian ethics?
Before understanding the strengths and weaknesses of Kantian ethics, one must first have thorough understanding of Kantian ethics itself, and how it can be differentiated from other forms of ethics such as Utilitarianism.
Important characteristics of Kantian Ethics to keep in mind:
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Deontological: Kantian ethics is a duty based ethical system. Unlike utilitarianism, consequences does not matter. As a result, Kantian ethics focuses on an agent's ability to abide by maxims formulated by the Categorical Imperative.
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Rationality: Kant believes that all humans are reasonable and use their reason to determine whether an action or behaviour is morally permissible or not. Kant also argues that anyone that is rational would understand why Kantian ethics is the most plausible ethical system. Also believes that humans should never be used as a "means to an end" due to their virtues as derived from their rationality.
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Universable: Once an action is determined as morally permissible or impermissible, this judgement should be universalised to everyone.
How the important argument of Kantian ethics link to its strength and weakneses:
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The strengths and weaknesses of an ethical system are always dependent on the key ideas that the ethical system advocates for
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By understanding the key ideas in the ethical system, one can compare and contrast such ideas to other ethical systems
Strengths of Kantian Ethics:
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The first strength can be linked to the quality of universability that Kantian ethics possesses. Since Kantian Ethics is universalised to all humans, it suggests that all humans should be treated equally under the same ethical system. This provides little discrimination according to race, class or age etc.
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In Kantian Ethics, humans are valued and believed to be moral agents
Weaknesses of Kantian Ethics
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It does not provide us with explanation of what happens when two absolutes clash.
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It does not account for the complexities of human life
