Kantian Ethics
Immanuel Kant was a German philosopher at the heart of a movement known as the Enlightenment. He reacted against the evangelical Lutheran Pietism of his schooling, with its emphasis on religious devotion and biblical literalism. He valued reason independent of revelation or emotion, though he did imbibe his parents‟ values (they were harness- makers) of „hard work, honesty and independence‟. Kant’s Ethical theory is an example of a deontological moral theory–according to these theories, the rightness or wrongness of actions does not depend on their consequences but on whether they fulfill our duty. Kant?s Argument to support his Ethical theory:
1) There is a purpose for the existence of things, that is the world is ordered and has ultimate principles. 2) Happiness is for the lesser creatures not gifted with rationality. 3) Because we are rational we are capable of something beyond mere happiness. 4) That ability to be rational allows us to discern right from wrong apart from considerations of pleasure or happiness.
Kant‟s belief that humans are responsible for their actions and could do otherwise than they do is not provable,he terms it instead a postulate of practical reasoning. Kant argues for the existence of a priori knowledge. This is a kind of knowledge that does not depend on our experience of the world. He links a priori knowledge with our ability to reason, to think rationally and logically. The purpose of the Critique was to examine whether human reason is capable of achieving a priori knowledge, and, if so, how and to what extent. He wanted to avoid the pitfalls of teleological thinking, so that our knowledge of the world, and our moral DECISION MAKING, would be on a ?rm basis and could not be faulted. He makes the distinction between a priori and a posteriori knowledge. A priori knowledge is the knowledge we gain from our ability to reason, and a posteriori knowledge is what we learn through our experience of the world. Kant‟s view of reason possesses intellectual virtues such as Integrity, truth telling, honest and fair dealing and consistency of word and deed. So the Good Will sets Motives centre- stage in moral reasoning.
Strengths of Kant‟s ethics
- Kant‟s system is logical and based on the use of the innate ability of all humans to reason.
- Every human being, just by being human, has the ability to make valid and objective moral decisions.
- The Categorical Imperative provides a clear and unambiguous method for testing the validity of proposed moral actions.
- The Categorical Imperative produces moral rules that apply to everyone at all times, thus simplifying moral decision- making.
- Kant says that the moral value of an action is based on the nature of the action itself, not on any of its potential consequences.
- Kant‟s system does away with any special pleading or vested interests, as it is based not on feelings or emotions but on reason. Bias towards family members or national interests, therefore, is avoided.
- Kant sees all humans as having value and dignity as they have the innate ability to reason. This means that things like paedophilia or the subjugation of Women are automatically outlawed. In putting reason before desires, he emphasises the dignity of man compared with beasts.
- All people should be treated equally, so that the view of a poor person is just as important as that of a rich one.
- .Kant‟s ethics is independent of any external authority, like God. It works simply on the basis that all people have the ability to reason.
- It ensures that each individual takes part in moral decision- making by ensuring they are autonomous and free to make rational decisions.
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Immanuel Kant was a German philosopher who lived from 1724 to 1804. He is considered one of the most important philosophers of the modern era, and his work has had a profound impact on Western thought. Kant’s philosophy is often divided into two main areas: metaphysics and ethics. Metaphysics is the study of the fundamental nature of reality, while ethics is the study of morality.
Kant’s ethical theory is known as deontology. Deontology is a form of ethical theory that holds that the rightness or wrongness of an action is determined by its adherence to a rule or principle. Kant believed that there is a single, supreme moral principle, which he called the categorical imperative. The categorical imperative is a rule that must be followed regardless of the consequences. It states that we should act only according to that maxim whereby we can at the same time will that it should become a universal law.
In other words, we should only act in a way that we would want everyone else to act in the same situation. For example, if we are considering stealing something, we should ask ourselves whether we would want everyone else to be able to steal whatever they want. If the answer is no, then we should not steal the thing ourselves.
Kant believed that the categorical imperative was the only way to ensure that our actions were truly moral. He argued that if we act only out of self-interest or a desire to please others, then our actions are not truly moral. Only if we act out of a sense of duty, and only if we are willing to have our actions be universal laws, can our actions be considered truly moral.
Kant’s theory of ethics has been criticized on a number of grounds. Some critics have argued that the categorical imperative is too abstract and difficult to apply in real-world situations. Others have argued that Kant’s theory is too rigid and does not allow for exceptions. Still others have argued that Kant’s theory is based on a false view of human nature.
Despite these criticisms, Kant’s theory of ethics remains one of the most influential ethical theories in Western thought. It is a theory that is both complex and challenging, and it continues to be debated and discussed by philosophers today.
In addition to the categorical imperative, Kant also discussed the concepts of duty, good will, imperative, moral law, practical reason, universalizability, and virtue.
Duty is a moral obligation that we have to act in a certain way. Kant believed that we have a duty to act according to the categorical imperative.
Good will is the intention to act in accordance with the moral law. Kant believed that good will is the only thing that is good in itself.
An imperative is a command or instruction. Kant believed that the categorical imperative is the supreme moral imperative.
The moral law is the set of rules that we should follow in order to live a moral life. Kant believed that the categorical imperative is the supreme moral law.
Practical reason is the ability to use our reason to make decisions about how to act. Kant believed that practical reason is essential for living a moral life.
Universalizability is the principle that we should only act in a way that we would want everyone else to act in the same situation. Kant believed that universalizability is the key to the categorical imperative.
Virtue is a character trait that is considered to be morally good. Kant believed that virtue is essential for living a moral life.
Kant’s theory of ethics is a complex and challenging system of thought. It is a theory that has been influential in Western thought for centuries, and it continues to be debated and discussed by philosophers today.
What is the categorical imperative?
The categorical imperative is a moral principle that states that one should act only according to that maxim whereby one can at the same time will that it should become a universal law. In other words, one should only do what one would want everyone else to do in the same situation.
What is deontology?
Deontology is a theory of ethics that judges the morality of an action based on the action’s adherence to a rule or rules. Deontological ethics is often contrasted with consequentialism, which judges the morality of an action based on its consequences.
What is utilitarianism?
Utilitarianism is a theory of ethics that judges the morality of an action based on its consequences. According to utilitarianism, the right action is the one that produces the greatest good for the greatest number of people.
What is virtue ethics?
Virtue ethics is a theory of ethics that focuses on the development of good character. According to virtue ethics, the right action is the one that a virtuous person would do.
What is ethics?
Ethics is the branch of philosophy that deals with morality. Ethics is concerned with the study of what is good and bad, right and wrong.
What is morality?
Morality is a system of beliefs about what is right and wrong. Morality is often based on religious beliefs, but it can also be based on secular beliefs.
What is a right?
A right is a moral or legal entitlement to something. Rights can be held by individuals, groups, or even countries.
What is a wrong?
A wrong is an act that is morally or legally wrong. Wrongs can be committed against individuals, groups, or even countries.
What is Justice?
Justice is the concept of fairness. Justice is often associated with the law, but it can also be applied to other areas of life.
What is Equality?
Equality is the concept of being equal. Equality can be applied to many different areas of life, such as race, gender, and wealth.
What is freedom?
Freedom is the concept of being free. Freedom can be applied to many different areas of life, such as speech, religion, and movement.
What is responsibility?
Responsibility is the concept of being accountable for one’s actions. Responsibility can be applied to many different areas of life, such as work, family, and community.
Question 1
Which of the following is NOT a principle of Kantian ethics?
(A) Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law.
(B) Treat humanity, whether in your own person or in that of another, always as an end and never as a means only.
(C) The greatest good for the greatest number.
(D) The categorical imperative.
Answer
(C) The greatest good for the greatest number is a principle of utilitarianism, not Kantian ethics.
Question 2
According to Kant, what is the supreme principle of morality?
(A) The categorical imperative.
(B) The golden rule.
(C) The principle of utility.
(D) The principle of autonomy.
Answer
(A) The categorical imperative is the supreme principle of morality according to Kant.
Question 3
What is the difference between a hypothetical imperative and a categorical imperative?
(A) A hypothetical imperative is a rule that is only binding if you want to achieve a certain goal, while a categorical imperative is a rule that is binding regardless of your goals.
(B) A hypothetical imperative is a rule that is binding for everyone, while a categorical imperative is only binding for you.
(C) A hypothetical imperative is a rule that is based on your own desires, while a categorical imperative is based on reason.
(D) A hypothetical imperative is a rule that is based on what is possible, while a categorical imperative is based on what is right.
Answer
(A) A hypothetical imperative is a rule that is only binding if you want to achieve a certain goal, while a categorical imperative is a rule that is binding regardless of your goals.
Question 4
Which of the following is an example of a hypothetical imperative?
(A) If you want to be happy, you should be honest.
(B) You should always tell the truth.
(C) You should never kill anyone.
(D) You should help others in need.
Answer
(A) If you want to be happy, you should be honest is an example of a hypothetical imperative because it is only binding if you want to achieve the goal of being happy.
Question 5
Which of the following is an example of a categorical imperative?
(A) If you want to be happy, you should be honest.
(B) You should always tell the truth.
(C) You should never kill anyone.
(D) You should help others in need.
Answer
(C) You should never kill anyone is an example of a categorical imperative because it is binding regardless of your goals.