Top-Rated Free Essay
Preview

Kantian Ethics

Satisfactory Essays
399 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Kantian Ethics
Kantian ethics is a deontological ethical theory first proposed by German philosopher Immanuel Kant. The theory, developed as a result of Enlightenment rationalism, is based on the view that the only intrinsically good thing is a good will; therefore an action can only be good if the maxim, or principle, behind it is duty to the moral law. Central to Kant's construction of the moral law is the categorical imperative, which acts on all people, regardless of their interests or desires. Kant formulated the categorical imperative in various ways. His principle of universalisability requires that, for an action to be permissible, it must be possible to apply it to all people without a contradiction occurring. His formula of humanity as an ends in itself requires that humans are never treated merely as a means to an end, but always also as ends in themselves. The formula of autonomy concludes that rational agents are bound to the moral law by their own will, and Kant's Kingdom of Ends formula requires that people must act as if the principles of their actions will establish a law for a hypothetical kingdom of ends. Kant also distinguished between perfect and imperfect duties. A perfect duty, such as the duty not to lie, always holds true; an imperfect duty, such as the duty to give to charity, can be made flexible and applied to certain times and places.

American philosopher Louis Pojman has cited Lutheran Pietism, political philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, the contemporary debate between rationalism and empiricism, and the influence of natural law as influences on the development of Kant's ethics. Other philosophers have argued that Kant's parents and his teacher, Martin Knutzen, influenced his ethics. Those influenced by Kantian ethics include philosopher Jürgen Habermas, political philosopher John Rawls, and psychoanalyst Jacques Lacan. German philosopher G.W.F. Hegel criticised Kant for not providing specific enough detail in his moral theory to affect decision-making and for denying human nature. German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer argued that ethics should attempt to describe how people behave and criticised Kant for being prescriptive. Michael Stocker has argued that acting out of duty can diminish other moral motivations, such as friendship; Marcia Baron has defended the theory by arguing that duty does not diminish oher motivations. The Catholic Church has criticised Kant's ethics as contradictory and challenges Kant's legalistic approach as a danger to Christian morality.

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Emmanuel Kant (hereinafter “Kant”) believes that Ethics is categorical and states that our moral duties are not dependent on feelings but on reason. He further states that our moral duties are unconditional, universally valid, and necessary, regardless of the possible consequences or opposition to our inclinations (Pojman and Vaughn 239).…

    • 273 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Kant’s deontological moral theory states that actions that are morally right from the motive must derive from duty rather than desires (Kemerling). The ultimate principle of morality must be a moral law that guides us in the right direction in any circumstances (Kemerling). According to Kant, although everything naturally occurs in accordance to law, the element of subjectiveness in humans may contradict the natural law, this results in obligation which results in an imperative reaction (Kemerling). There are two types of imperatives. Firstly, is hypothetical imperative which demands a particular action to be taken in order to achieve a particular result, where we are sure of the result when it comes to ethical decisions(Kemerling). Second is a categorical imperative which demands an action for its sake alone, which results in many unfamiliar problems (Kemerling). Kant introduced an alternative formulae for the categorical imperative which is the “formula of the end in itself” and the “formula of autonomy” (Kemerling). The formula of the end in itself simply meant that humanity is always treated as an end and not as a mean(Kemerling). The formula of autonomy, on the other hand, means the decision to act according to a maxim is actually regarded as an universal law…

    • 531 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In “A Simplified Account of Kantian Ethics”, author Onora O’Neill makes the claim that Kantianism and Utilitarianism have 2 distinct views on human life and the way it’s value should guide an individual’s morals. She firstly focuses on explaining the Utilitarian perspective on individual purpose and life value, rather dramatically calling it a task “not for the faint-hearted” (O’Neill, 4). Fundamentally, utilitarianism upholds a standard of maximizing utility, meaning that no one individual’s happiness is to be ranked above the greater good in importance. She describes Utilitarianism as “dauntingly long, indeed interminable,” (O’Neill, 4) which I personally think is true of any moral theory, Kantianism included, but more so for Utilitarianism because of its requirement of self-sacrifice.…

    • 751 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Kantian ethics are ethical principles set out by Immanuel Kant (1724-1804), a German thinker from East Prussia, and arguably one of the most influential philosophers in Western philosophy. His ‘Categorical Imperative’ theory was devised from his desire to create a stand-alone ethical theory that would not rely on assumptions, hence he believed in an objective right or wrong based on reason as a pose to assumptions. According to Kant, morals are a Priori synthetic because they are absolute, existing in and of themselves, and do not need to be experienced for them to exist. However, upon testing, it is also obviously true that they are correct.…

    • 2219 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    There is an old saying that it is better to be lucky than good. This may be true if a person is always lucky, but luck sometimes has a tendency to run out. Making decisions that affect other people’s lives based on luck can be sometimes dangerous, and usually ethically questionable. Leaders who routinely depend on luck for success may find themselves relying on other questionable actions, such as lying, cheating, or stealing, to ensure luck stays on their side. Additionally, this type of behavior may force subordinates to make ethically questionable decisions when luck begins to run out.…

    • 1512 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Kant, worked on ethics and wrote two general schools of thoughts. The first theory is consequentialist moral theories, which divides the thought of right and wrong based on the outcome and it consequence of an action, therefore the end justifies the means.The second theory is deontology which is similar to consequentialist but instead right and wrong based upon oneself. Thus categorical imperative was introduced, categorical imperative is based upon kant's idea that morality is derived by rationality and all moral judgement are rationally supported, in other words what’s right is right and what’s wrong is wrong. In more detail into categorical Imperative, there are three maxim, first maxim is all your actions must have universality. therefore for if you want to do something it must be okay for everyone else to do it, as Kant uses suicide as an example he says “is it contrary to my duty to take my life if i am in despair due to my many misfortunes? First, i should ask what if all though this way and acted upon it and became a law of nature” Second Maxim is every human should be treated as a end and not a mean, which means you’re not obligated nor allowed to manipulate someone no matter what. Third maxim one should act like you're the moral authority of the entire universe. As we compare this to Friedrich Nietzsche’s thoughts on morality we notice difference. immanuel Kant in…

    • 683 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Immanuel Kant was a German philosopher from the 18th century who is well known as an essential person in philosophy today. He has made the argument that there are a set of essential ideas that structure human experience and is the source of morality. His thought continues to have a major influence in contemporary thought, especially the fields of metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, political philosophy, and aesthetics. Kant’s theory on morality as often been criticized on being too…

    • 78 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Kant And Utilitarianism

    • 730 Words
    • 3 Pages

    According to Kant, he believes that the only thing unconditionally good is good will. Good will is the idea of people having to do ones moral duty. Kant’s ethical theories are based off of the categorical imperatives. Categorical imperatives, as stated during class, act only on those rules that you can rationally will to be universal. In response to Kant’s theory, I believe that good will is not the only thing that is unconditionally good. I believe this because there will be many instances in life where having a good will can lead to tragic situations.…

    • 730 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Kant's Ethical Theory

    • 698 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Fraud is generally defined as an omission of a material fact or a misrepresentation of the truth, intended for personal gain or to cause loss to another party. The act of fraud is most commonly committed in order to deprive another of money, property, or a legal right. Fraud is considered criminal activity, and anyone who is affected by a fraudulent act has the ability to file a lawsuit to collect damages. J.C. Penny was accused of marking up the prices on their products and then discounting them to the original price in order to trick customers into thinking they were receiving heavy discounts and better deals. J.C. Penny committed this act for their own personal gain, and in doing so, they deprived their customers of money that they would…

    • 698 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The way Kant applied his famous and first formula, namely the Formulas of Universal Law (FUL) and the Formula of Law of Nature (FLN) to four famous examples of maxims contrary to duty, in his major works (the Groundwork, Metaphysical of Moral and Critique of Practical Reason), supports the thought that Kant’s ethical theory might be understood as a constructivist under the standard model. Wood puts this connection as follows:…

    • 480 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Immanuel Kant’s deontological theory of ethics is the normative ethical position that evaluates the morality of actions. Unlike the empiricist supporters of Utilitarianism, Kant was an unquestionable supporter of rationalism; the idea that pure reason can tell us how the world is, independent of experience. This idea is referred to as an a priori approach, because it makes the assumption that reasoning or knowledge is denoted from theoretical deduction rather than from observation or experience.…

    • 2205 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    What part does happiness play in determining the morality of an act in a situation? Can a concept that ties morality to the search of happiness truly be rational? What of the opposite? Is it possible to view every situation with objectivity, never taking into account an emotion (like happiness)? The questions above concern themselves with the part of the central tenets of the ethical views of two very important philosophers, respectfully: John Mill and Immanuel Kant. The ethical theories that these two philosophers laid out clash with each other in fundamental ways, from how reason was defined, to the role that “happiness” played in determining the ethical choice in a moral dilemma. In the following pages, I will attempt to present and discuss the theories of Kant and Mill, pointing out what I perceive as weakness in said theories, as well as the possible strengths of each system.…

    • 2194 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Kant, Immanuel, and H. J. Paton. Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals. New York: Harper & Row, 1964. Print.…

    • 1830 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Immanuel Kant states that the only thing in this world that is “good without qualification” is the good will. He states the attributes of character such as intelligence, wit, and judgment are considered good but can be used for the wrong reasons. Kant also states that the attributes of good fortune such as health, power, riches, honor, that provide one happiness can also be used in the wrong way (7). In order to understand Kant’s view of moral rightness, one must understand that only a good will is unambiguously good without qualification, it is “good in itself”. To clarify, Kant states that “a good will is good not because of what it effects or accomplishes, nor because of its fitness to attain some proposed end; it is good only through its willing, i.e. it is good in itself” (7). To Kant, a good will is the only thing that gives action moral worth. Human beings were granted with reason not only to attain self-preservation and a state of happiness, but “its true function must be to produce a will which is not merely good as a mean to some further end, but it good in itself” (9). Human beings are called to exercise reason through duty to bring a universal good to all. This duty, living according to our highest reason, must be exercised through action that is beneficial and non-contradictory to all. Duty has three major qualifications for Kant. One must recognize that duty is good in itself when an action is performed out of the need of the completion of the duty itself, such as one who abstains from supporting a large restaurant corporation that inhumanely raise cattle or poultry, because he or she recognizes that it is a duty to not perpetuate unethical practice. Or one who carefully recycles their waste not because of the pleasure of being an enlightened “green” individual, but because of the recognition that it is “good in itself” to reuse products. The second…

    • 2304 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Deontology is the ethical view that some actions are morally forbidden or permitted regardless of consequences. One of the most influential deontological philosophers in history is Immanuel Kant who developed the idea of the Categorical Imperative. Kant believed that the only thing of intrinsic moral worth is a good will. Kant says in his work Morality and Rationality "The good will is not good because of what it effects or accomplishes or because of it's adequacy to achieve some proposed end; it is good only because of it's willing, i.e., it is good of itself". A maxim is the generalized rule that characterizes the motives for a person's actions. For Kant, a will that is good is one that is acting by the maxim of doing the right thing because it is right thing to do. The moral worth of an action is determined by whether or not it was acted upon out of respect for the moral law, or the Categorical Imperative. Imperatives in general imply something we ought to do however there is a distinction between categorical imperatives and hypothetical imperatives. Hypothetical imperatives are obligatory so long as we desire X. If we desire X we ought to do Y. However, categorical imperatives are not subject to conditions. The Categorical Imperative is universally binding to all rational creatures because they are rational. Kant proposes three formulations the Categorical Imperative in his Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Moral, the Universal Law formulation, Humanity or End in Itself formulation, and Kingdom of Ends formulation. In this essay, the viablity of the Universal Law formulation is tested by discussing two objections to it, mainly the idea that the moral laws are too absolute and the existence of false positives and false negatives.…

    • 1561 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays

Related Topics