Formalism

After the fall of the Roman Empire, Western Europe fell into a time of warfare and struggle known as the Dark Ages. Studies on ethics appeared again in Western Europe only after the end of the Dark Ages. In the 1200s, St. Thomas Aquinas and William of Occam, influenced by Aristotelian thought, agreed that the ability to reason was central to our understanding of the world, including ethics. Then, in the 1700s, Immanuel Kant developed theories regarding ethics that differ significantly from the Aristotelian tradition.

The virtue ethics of Aristotle emphasize our ability to evaluate the effect of our actions on others and to decide to act ethically. The formalism (or deontological ethics) of Kant suggests that ethical behavior is a duty that we must perform, regardless of the consequences. While Aristotle thought we learn morals, Kant thought we are born with the ability to discern right from wrong. Aristotle viewed the ultimate good as happiness, while Kant recognized that ethical action was sometimes unpleasant. These divergent philosophical traditions dominated early studies of ethics and continue to influence the formulation of modern codes of ethics.

This resource provides instruction for users to:

• Define deontological ethics
  
• Explain Kantian ethics Identify the strengths and weaknesses of Kant's philosophy regarding ethics
• Distinguish between virtue ethics and formalism
• Define categorical imperative
• Discuss how the philosophy of categorical imperative is thought to guide all conduct
• Define practical imperative Identify the strengths and weaknesses of Kant's philosophy regarding ethics
• Distinguish between virtue ethics and formalism