Immanuel Kant's Critique Of The Ethical Code
ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS WITH THE PHRASE IN THE CODE
The philosopher Immanuel Kant (2008), in his Critique of Pure Reason, famously asserted, “The action to which the “ought” applies must indeed be possible under natural conditions” (p. 473). 536 O’DONOHUE
This generally is summarized as “ought” implies can,” that is, any moral prescription must be possible for the actor. Conversely, part of the notion is that it is nonsensical to morally blame people for actions that they cannot control. Griffin (1992) stated,
Moral norms must be tailored to fit the human moral torso. They are nothing but what such tailoring produces. There are no moral norms outside the boundary set by our capacities. These are not some second-best norms—norms made for every …show more content…
When the standard in the Ethical Code utilizes the phrase “scientific and professional knowledge,” the Code seems at least somewhat oblivious or perhaps dismissive of the extant critiques of science as being biased against unpowered communities (e.g., Lyotard, 1984). Some of the most radical critiques of science have come from identity movements, such as feminists who have embraced postmodernism and social constructivism.
The Existence of Valid Methods of Identifying Personal Biases?
Other APA documents have suggested that an integral part of ethically responding to individuals or groups that have experienced a history or continue to experience oppression, privilege, bias, prejudice, and stereotyping is to undergo some sort of inner self-exploration or self assessment. For example, APA’s Board of Educational Affairs Task Force on Supervision Guidelines (2014) state:
1. Supervisors strive to develop and maintain self-awareness regarding their diversity competence, which includes attitudes, knowledge, and skills. Supervisors understand that they serve as important role models regarding openness to self-exploration, understanding of one’s own biases, and willingness to pursue education or consultation when …show more content…
These significant problems ought to be considered in future revisions to the Ethical Code. Some of these problems related to broader problems in the Code: Its claims are presented ex cathedra as opposed to products of rational arguments; there is no attendant authoritative document issued by the APA explaining the Code; principles of enforcement and adjudication remain unarticulated, and so on. There are many important questions and options given these
The philosopher Immanuel Kant (2008), in his Critique of Pure Reason, famously asserted, “The action to which the “ought” applies must indeed be possible under natural conditions” (p. 473). 536 O’DONOHUE
This generally is summarized as “ought” implies can,” that is, any moral prescription must be possible for the actor. Conversely, part of the notion is that it is nonsensical to morally blame people for actions that they cannot control. Griffin (1992) stated,
Moral norms must be tailored to fit the human moral torso. They are nothing but what such tailoring produces. There are no moral norms outside the boundary set by our capacities. These are not some second-best norms—norms made for every …show more content…
When the standard in the Ethical Code utilizes the phrase “scientific and professional knowledge,” the Code seems at least somewhat oblivious or perhaps dismissive of the extant critiques of science as being biased against unpowered communities (e.g., Lyotard, 1984). Some of the most radical critiques of science have come from identity movements, such as feminists who have embraced postmodernism and social constructivism.
The Existence of Valid Methods of Identifying Personal Biases?
Other APA documents have suggested that an integral part of ethically responding to individuals or groups that have experienced a history or continue to experience oppression, privilege, bias, prejudice, and stereotyping is to undergo some sort of inner self-exploration or self assessment. For example, APA’s Board of Educational Affairs Task Force on Supervision Guidelines (2014) state:
1. Supervisors strive to develop and maintain self-awareness regarding their diversity competence, which includes attitudes, knowledge, and skills. Supervisors understand that they serve as important role models regarding openness to self-exploration, understanding of one’s own biases, and willingness to pursue education or consultation when …show more content…
These significant problems ought to be considered in future revisions to the Ethical Code. Some of these problems related to broader problems in the Code: Its claims are presented ex cathedra as opposed to products of rational arguments; there is no attendant authoritative document issued by the APA explaining the Code; principles of enforcement and adjudication remain unarticulated, and so on. There are many important questions and options given these