Perfect Duties

Definition

Perfect duties are moral obligations that we have a strict, categorical requirement to fulfill. They are absolute, unconditional, and must be carried out regardless of the consequences. Perfect duties stem from the deontological ethical framework, which judges the morality of an action based on the action's adherence to a rule, rather than its consequences.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Perfect duties are moral obligations that we have a strict, categorical requirement to fulfill, regardless of the consequences.
2. Perfect duties stem from the deontological ethical framework, which judges the morality of an action based on the action's adherence to a rule, rather than its consequences.
3. The categorical imperative, a key principle in Kantian deontology, states that one should act only in accordance with maxims that could become universal laws.
4. Perfect duties are absolute and unconditional, in contrast to imperfect duties, which are more flexible and allow for consideration of consequences.
5. Examples of perfect duties include keeping promises, telling the truth, and respecting the autonomy of others.

Review Questions

• Explain how perfect duties differ from imperfect duties in the context of deontology.
  • Perfect duties are moral obligations that we have a strict, categorical requirement to fulfill, regardless of the consequences. They are absolute and unconditional, in contrast to imperfect duties, which are more flexible and allow for consideration of consequences. Perfect duties stem from the deontological ethical framework, which judges the morality of an action based on the action's adherence to a rule, rather than its consequences. Imperfect duties, on the other hand, are moral obligations that we should fulfill, but not in an absolute, categorical way.
• Describe the relationship between perfect duties and the categorical imperative in Kantian deontology.
  • The concept of perfect duties is closely tied to Immanuel Kant's categorical imperative, a fundamental principle in Kantian deontology. The categorical imperative states that one should 'act only in accordance with that maxim through which you can at the same time will that it become a universal law.' Perfect duties are moral obligations that adhere to this principle, as they are absolute, unconditional, and must be carried out regardless of the consequences. The categorical imperative serves as the basis for determining which duties are perfect, as actions that could not be willed as universal laws would not be considered perfect duties.
• Evaluate the strengths and limitations of the deontological approach to perfect duties in comparison to other ethical frameworks, such as consequentialism.
  • The deontological approach to perfect duties has several strengths, such as providing a clear, rule-based system for determining moral actions and ensuring that certain fundamental rights and obligations are upheld. However, it also has limitations. By focusing solely on the adherence to rules, rather than the consequences of actions, deontology can lead to situations where following a perfect duty may result in undesirable or harmful outcomes. Consequentialist ethical frameworks, such as utilitarianism, offer an alternative perspective that considers the overall impact of actions. This can lead to difficult tradeoffs between upholding perfect duties and maximizing the overall good. Ultimately, the strengths and limitations of the deontological approach to perfect duties highlight the need for a nuanced understanding of ethics, where multiple perspectives are considered in order to navigate complex moral dilemmas.

Related terms

Deontology: Deontology is an ethical theory that judges the morality of an action based on the action's adherence to a rule, rather than its consequences. It is often associated with Immanuel Kant's categorical imperative.

Categorical Imperative: The categorical imperative is a fundamental principle in Kantian deontology that states that one should 'act only in accordance with that maxim through which you can at the same time will that it become a universal law.'

Imperfect Duties: Imperfect duties are moral obligations that we should fulfill, but not in an absolute, categorical way. They are more flexible and allow for consideration of consequences, unlike perfect duties.