Final answer:
The statement is true. Kant's deontological ethics centers around the concept of duty and goodwill, emphasizing that ethics should not be based on the consequences of our actions, but on the moral law and our obligation to uphold it.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'Kant argued that ethics cannot be based upon consequences' is true. Immanuel Kant, a critical figure in modern philosophy, established a deontological approach to ethics, arguing that moral principles should be founded not on the outcomes of actions, but rather on reason and duty. Kant's ethical framework is centered around the concept of goodwill, which is the decision to carry out moral duties and is considered by Kant to have unconditional value, regardless of the consequences.
To further clarify, Kant postulated that there exist perfect duties we are obliged to do all of the time, such as not lying or stealing. These moral obligations are not contingent on the results they bring about but are imperative to uphold based on the rational nature of humans and the inherent value of goodwill. Kant's principles are focused on intentions and the inherent rightness of actions, in contrast to consequentialism, which evaluates the morality of an action by the outcomes it produces.