Kant s Theory On Morality - 1608 Words

In my essay, I’m going to be arguing Immanuel Kant’s theory that â€Å"a will is good because it is good in itself† (383). This argument, presented in his work Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, is one of the key ideas brought up to support his theory on morality. I believe that Kant’s argument is essentially correct – however, with every argument comes a set of flaws, and this one is no exception. Section One starts off with a question – is anything good in itself, and if so, what is it? Kant offers to the reader several valued attributes: wit, intelligence, loyalty, and judgment (393). One might think that these attributes are what make an action morally venerated and positive. However, Kant says that if the will behind these attributes isn’t good, then they cannot be morally correct, and should not be cherished. Thus, everything comes down to the good will behind an action. The idea of something good in and of itself seems out rageously fictitious, or at least fanciful. It is difficult to paint a picture of what the good will really is and how it is achieved, which is why Kant offers small scenarios of people committing morally good actions out of duty for the good will, and contrasting these actions to the will behind it, driving it. An action cannot be considered good simply due to acting on impulse or an inclination to follow laws. In Section One of the Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals, Kant introduces the concept of duty, and applies this concept to aShow MoreRelatedKant s Theory On Morality857 Words   |  4 Pagesgrounded in sympathy and experience. Immanuel Kant, however, is certain that morals should not be derived from experience but from pure reason. I for one believe that neither of these men are entirely correct. Both of their theories on morality are flawed in that one does not account for the human experience and the other takes the human experience too much into account. To begin with Kant’s theory is flawed in that it is founded in pure reason. Deriving morality from pure reason completely negates theRead MoreKant s Theory Of Morality982 Words   |  4 PagesImmanuel Kant is said by many to be one of the most influential â€Å"thinkers† in the history of Western philosophy (McCormick, n.d.), this being said, most of his theories continue to be taught and are highly respected by society. Kant was a firm believer that the morality of any action can be assessed by the motivation behind it (McCormick, n.d.). In other words, if an action is good but the intention behind the action is not good, the action itself would be considered immoral. Those who follow theRead MoreKant s Theory Of Morality2250 Words   |  9 Pagesphilosophical ideas of morality suggest that humans are rational beings whose actions are motivated by passions. They also suggest that reason is an essential tool in guiding the passions to realize an end goal. Philosopher Immanuel Kant suggests otherwise. He believes that humans are rational beings whose actions are motivated and caused by reason alone. Kant proposed three basic laws: laws of nature—physical facts, laws of logic—known through pure reason, and laws of morality—giving us freedom toRead MoreHobbes And Kant s Theory Of Morality1447 Words   |  6 PagesHobbes and Kant both give a different account of the foundations of morality. Drawing from Hobbes’ Leviathan and Kant’s Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals, I will compare their understanding of the foundations of morality. I will discuss the conflicting accounts of the role played by reason versus the role played by desire and inclination in the determination of what is good, evil, right or wrong. Hobbes claims that ordinary experiences establish human beings as self-interested and are drivenRead More Ethical and Philosophical Questions about Value and Obligation977 Words   |  4 Pagesof Mill, Ka nt, Aristotle, Nietzsche, and the ethics of care? III For Mill, the question is what is the relation between his (metaethical) empirical naturalism and his (normative) qualitatively hedonist value theory and his utilitarian moral theory? One place we can see Mill?s empiricism is his treatment, in Chapter III, of the question of why the principle of utility is ?binding?, how it can generate a moral obligation. Compare Mill?s treatment of this question with Kant?s treatmentRead MoreImmanuel Kant And Kant On Morality1097 Words   |  5 Pagesdefinition of morality is the rules for right action and prohibitions against wrong acts. Sometimes morality is the single set of absolute rules and prohibitions that are valid for all men at all times and all societies. More loosely, a morality can be any set of ultimate principles, and there may be any number of moralities in different societies. Examples would be don’t cheat, don’t steal, and treat others as you would want to be treated. When dealing with the philosophers take on morality, there areRead MoreKantian Ethics1459 Words   |  6 PagesIn society, morality is defined as the beliefs and ideas of what is right or wrong behaviour. (Can you cite a dictionary?) The teachings of morality also known as moral education is heavily dependent on individuals that have a major impact on one`s life. The teachings usually start from a young age through parents, care givers and educators in society. Due to their influence on young children`s lives it is their responsibility to make certain that young children will learn to make logical decisionsRead MoreEmmanuel Kant and Moral Theory1589 Words   |  6 Pagesgreatest contributions to moral theory is the concept of pure practical reason that, as an alternative to moral sense theory or teleological ethics, more positively views the capability of fallible individuals to act morally. Practical reason, the basis of Kantian metaphysics, was revolutionary because it challenged skepticism towards human moral capacities and insisted that the moral faculty is an implicit part of common human reason. Practical reason is an instrumental theory in Kants Metaphysics ofRead MoreThe Moral Value Of Ethics1261 Words   |  6 PagesDeontology Of the many theories non-consequentialism produces, one is called Deontology. This theory states the only way to complete a moral action is by doing ones duty. In Deontology, the end result is irrelevant meaning bad consequences have no affect on the morality of the action. The thesis I will prove is when deciding on the best course of action the principles of Deontology ethics and their emphasis on considerations of doing ones duty, offer effective framework for the moral value ofRead MoreKant And Kant s Categorical Imperative1241 Words   |  5 PagesImmanuel Kant, an 18th-century moral philosopher, had contended that the fundamental principle of morality is the Categorical Imperative, from here will be additionally labeled as (CI) or otherwise mentioned. He supported his view by suggesting a pure moral philosophy; a metaphysics of morals that is not solely for rational beings to explore different ¬ sources of basic moral principles that are found through their own observatio nal experience a priori, but additionally for the sake of morality as it