Preview

Kant's Definition Of Ethics

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
565 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Kant's Definition Of Ethics
I think that Kant’s views should be the basics of ethics. Based on the definition of ethics being universal, Kant’s views can be applied to everyone. It does not matter what a person’s ethnicity, nationality, religion, or time period he/she resides in, Kant’s views of a good will can be practiced by everyone. Rather than happiness, which is conditional and has consequences, the good will is good within itself. With the example of a pair of people shopping, person A tries on a variety of clothing. Person A asks person B if an outfit is flattering on him/her. If happiness was the base of ethics, person B may try to avoid making person A feel bad saying that an outfit looked bad if person A was happy about that outfit. Whereas based on the good …show more content…
Many times it actually hurts people instead of bringing a person happiness when you try to save someone’s feelings. When you act based on good will, your actions are clear. With clear intentions, it can hurt less people rather than beating around the bush.I think that Kant’s views should be the basics of ethics. Based on the definition of ethics being universal, Kant’s views can be applied to everyone. It does not matter what a person’s ethnicity, nationality, religion, or time period he/she resides in, Kant’s views of a good will can be practiced by everyone. Rather than happiness, which is conditional and has consequences, the good will is good within itself. With the example of a pair of people shopping, person A tries on a variety of clothing. Person A asks person B if an outfit is flattering on him/her. If happiness was the base of ethics, person B may try to avoid making person A feel bad saying that an outfit looked bad if person A was happy about that outfit. Whereas based on the good will, person B would bluntly tell the truth that the outfit looked bad on person A. Person B does not say this out of bad intentions, rather the good will comes with good

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • 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
  • Better Essays

    Immanuel Kant’s Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals starts off by saying there is only one thing that is good without qualification which is a good will. Something can only be good if it is well-matched with a good will. In fact, “a good will is” according to him, “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). He states that these specific obligations of a good will are called duties and then makes three propositions about them. Kant then says that “I should never act except in such a way that I can also will that my maxim…

    • 1196 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Kant approached towards philosophy; he developed “The Categorical Imperative” which is a rule to do what is right. He believed that we shouldn’t lie to one another; he also believed that if we made a promise we should keep that promise. “Kant argues that the moral worth of an action it’s to be judged not by its consequences but by the nature of the maxim or principles…

    • 93 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Before I go about pitting these two systems against each other, however, it would be best to first give you a (hopefully) sufficient understanding of what composes each respective ethical theory, so that you can better follow the comparison ant critique of the theories later on. First, let us take a look at Kant's system of ethics, which is based on the notion of duty. For Kant, this duty was something that had to be motivated from something that was larger than yourself and your emotion; it had to be drawn from an objective place, and with the right intentions in mind. Have you ever heard the adage that goes “doing the right thing for the wrong reason”? That would apply perfectly to Kant's theory. The result's of one's actions mean nothing if the intentions are selfish in nature. To Kant, intention was perhaps even more important than the results of your actions, due to the fact that one can not always have full control over the ends of their intentions (intentions that, in order to be in accordance to…

    • 2194 Words
    • 9 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
  • Better Essays

    In this analytical paper I’ll be analyzing a scenario about a five year old girl who is in renal failure and is in need of a kidney transplant. In this the father is the only one compatible with her, but he does not want to donate his kidney to save her life. The scenario will be analyzed through the deontological/Kantian and the consequentialist/utilitarian viewpoints in ethical decision making. It’ll also be analyzed by deciding which perspective would be relevant and a discussion of what I as a doctor would do following the ethical view point of my choice.…

    • 1138 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better 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
  • Good Essays

    From the way that Kant has been interpreted as a constructivist under the standard model, as Wood’s revealed, one can remark three points about this approach: Overemphasizing on the Formula of Universal Law (FUL), Conception of Value, Conception of Autonomy.…

    • 480 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Phil 3033

    • 402 Words
    • 2 Pages

    For an action to be morally right on Kant’s view it must be the right act done for the right reason.…

    • 402 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • 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
  • Powerful Essays

    Kant vs. Mill

    • 1576 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Kant claims that there is a right way to determine how to treat other rational beings, as well as themselves. Kant describes this as being the categorical imperative. The categorical imperative states that an individual ought not make an exception for one’s self to act in a way they themselves would not want by other individuals. Kant requires that a person’s maxim should only be acted upon if the action and…

    • 1576 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    In order to discover what is moral or not, Kant believes that categorical imperative gives reasoning for any sort of action. In order to do so, one must think about the fundamental rule that goes in hand with what the person plans to fulfill in the first place. If a certain act can be applied to others and puts them in that exact situation, then it is moral. One concept of categorical imperative is known as “The Principle of Ends.” This theory describes individuals as worthy and valuable, depicting them as something worth more than a mere object. This pairs with the saying “treat others as you would like to be treated.” On a general status, I believe that this should be the correct thing to do. Concerning Kant, I disagree with his argument…

    • 195 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Kant philosophy has contributed in development of "pure" moral philosophy, a "metaphysics of morals" that is based on the concepts of reason, not on empirical observations. According to his philosophy moral obligations are applicable to all human beings as it applies not only for particular person in particular situation, but also to all rational beings in all circumstances.…

    • 477 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    We never have permission to break a rule so when we are faced with situations in which we must choose the lesser evil, Kant's philosophy makes it impossible to make the less negative choice because we still wouldn't want it to be a universal rule. Therefore, this absolutism makes it impossible to address these moral…

    • 56 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory 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