Explore the Resemblances and Differences Between Kantian and Christian Ethics.
Viet-Duy PHAM (99563905)
“The starry heavens above me;
The moral law within me.”
- Kant, Immanuel (1724–1804)-
Through ancient times and evolution of history ethics has always been viewed as a center of societies of mankind, embracing practical nature links it with many other areas of study, including anthropology, biology, economics, history, politics, sociology, and theology with the teaching of Western philosophers like Plato, Aristotle, or Asia with the view of Confucius, Lao-tzu or Meng Tzu etc. Yet, “ethics remains distinct from such disciplines because it is not a matter of factual knowledge in the way that the sciences and other branches of inquiry are. Rather, it has to do with determining the nature of normative theories and applying these sets of principles to practical moral problems” (Singer P, 1985). And through times many question about the practicality of religion ethics and secular ethic, which can be apply to mortal societies. Some argue that, there are more similarities than differences when comparing ethics, in this paper will intend to introduce the Kantian ethics teachings and explore the resemblances and differences compare to the teachings of Christian ethics.
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, (2008) defines “ethics” as the study and evaluation of human conduct in the light of moral principles, which may be viewed as the individual's standard of conduct or as a body of social obligations and duties. Whereas Morals, is dealing with or “capable of distinguishing between right and wrong, of teaching or in accordance with the principles of right and wrong”. The purpose of ethics is to show the difference between rights and wrongs.
Kantian ethics is based upon the teachings of the philosopher, Immanuel Kant (1724–1804). According to Dr Boeree, C. George (1999), Kant in his “Religion Within the Limits of Reason,”… “argues that man are born with the potential for both good and bad…” and “although there is an inborn moral sense, it
“The starry heavens above me;
The moral law within me.”
- Kant, Immanuel (1724–1804)-
Through ancient times and evolution of history ethics has always been viewed as a center of societies of mankind, embracing practical nature links it with many other areas of study, including anthropology, biology, economics, history, politics, sociology, and theology with the teaching of Western philosophers like Plato, Aristotle, or Asia with the view of Confucius, Lao-tzu or Meng Tzu etc. Yet, “ethics remains distinct from such disciplines because it is not a matter of factual knowledge in the way that the sciences and other branches of inquiry are. Rather, it has to do with determining the nature of normative theories and applying these sets of principles to practical moral problems” (Singer P, 1985). And through times many question about the practicality of religion ethics and secular ethic, which can be apply to mortal societies. Some argue that, there are more similarities than differences when comparing ethics, in this paper will intend to introduce the Kantian ethics teachings and explore the resemblances and differences compare to the teachings of Christian ethics.
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, (2008) defines “ethics” as the study and evaluation of human conduct in the light of moral principles, which may be viewed as the individual's standard of conduct or as a body of social obligations and duties. Whereas Morals, is dealing with or “capable of distinguishing between right and wrong, of teaching or in accordance with the principles of right and wrong”. The purpose of ethics is to show the difference between rights and wrongs.
Kantian ethics is based upon the teachings of the philosopher, Immanuel Kant (1724–1804). According to Dr Boeree, C. George (1999), Kant in his “Religion Within the Limits of Reason,”… “argues that man are born with the potential for both good and bad…” and “although there is an inborn moral sense, it
References: Barre, Elizabeth A. 2004, Ethics beyond the borders of philosophy: Karl Bath’s theological complement to Kantian Ethics, Seminar Paper for Course on 19th and 20th Century Theology, Florida State University, viewed 22/09/08 Boeree, C. George, 1999, Hume and Kant, viewed on 28/09/08 < http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/humekant.html> Gogan. Aisling, 1992, God in Kant 's Critique of Pure Reason: The Codgito The MUN Student Journal of Philosophy, Vol 3 viewed 29/09/08 < http://www.mun.ca/phil/codgito/vol3/v3doc1.html> Harkness Georgia, 1957, Chapter 1: What is Christian Ethics?: Christian Ethics, Religion Online, viewed 21/09/08 Kant, Immanuel, 1785, Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals in Ellington, J.W Kant, Immanuel, 1788, The Critique of Practical Reason (trans Thomas Kingsmill Abbott, 1829-1913), viewed on 10/09/08 Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, 2008 viewed 18 September 2008 < http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ethic> Nelson Thomas, 2007, biblical ethic, Nelson 's Bible Dictionary Online viewed 21/09/08 < http://www.ebible.com/dict> Pecorino Philip A, 2000, Chapter 8: Ethic, Categorical Imperative, An Introduction to Philosophy, An Online Textbook, Queensborough Community College, CUNY Ramsey Paul et el, Press, 1993, Basic Christian Ethics, Westminster John Knox, p170-180, viewed 27/09/08 http://books.google.com.au/books?id=aYNeQx-8-2QC&pg=PA171&lpg=PA171&dq Singer, Peter, 1985, Ethics, Encyclopedia Britannica, Sinivirta Mikko, 1997, Humanism, Christianity and Ethics, Coninental Theological Seminary, viewed 23/09/08