Preview

Kant's Perspective on Lying

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
530 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Kant's Perspective on Lying
Philosophy Essay #4

Kant’s Views on Wrongness of Lying

Kant believes humans have the highest value in the realm of existence because they are the only beings capable of reasoning. He extends this theory to say that humans have the right to use other creatures in any way they see fit as long as they are serving an end to justify the means. Kant perceives humans as the most valuable creatures because other “animals” are not able to have desires and set personal goals. Modern science invalidates some of Kant’s views because some animals do in fact have the mental capacity to express desire (however Kant was not aware of this). He thought that humans are entitled to respect each other and allow each other to act freely, utilizing the special tool of rational thinking that he believes is unique to the species. Kant’s core principle is the Categorical Imperative; essentially the concept that all people should treat others (as well as themselves) as an ends and never just as a means to fulfill goals/desires. People all hold an elite status in the universe and are obliged to recognize each other’s significance. Lying and manipulation and are strictly forbidden according to Kant’s notions because they involve treating a person as merely a means to achieve personal satisfaction. A prime example of someone defying the Categorical Imperative: a person intends to go out with a friend and lies about their car being broken so they do not have to drive. This person strips deceives his/her friend into driving and lies to satisfy his/her ulterior motive. If the person simply tells his/her friend the truth that they do not feel like driving, the friend is left to decide if he/she wants to take on the duty of driving based on his/her values and thought processes. Kant thinks humans are required to live up to their perfect duties. If one lies they are defying their perfect duty. Lying is a “contradiction in conceivability” and if it is applied on a universal standard

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Lying, false and untruthful. In the articles “Brad Blanton: Honestly, Tell the Truth” by Barbara Ballinger and “Rejecting All Lies Immanuel Kant” by Sissela Bok, they argue that lying is never allowed because it leads to many complicated situations. Lying can lead to humiliating your friends and hurts the liar’s mental state.…

    • 351 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The first reason lying is never okay is because it gives people false hope. One example of giving people false is in the beginning of the novel the Nazis lied to the Jews and gave them false hope saying the concentration camps were not going to be bad but they were actual torture to the Jews. Lying made the Jews think they…

    • 461 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    This brand on deontological ethics, ethics where all actions are inherently good or bad, often leads people to the conclusion that lying or deception is almost always wrong. From a Kantian perspective, it seems even white lies, such as telling your girlfriend she ‘doesn’t look fat in that dress’ could be unethical as they hinder our capacity to make rational choices.…

    • 4446 Words
    • 18 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Kant vs. Mill

    • 1576 Words
    • 7 Pages

    In this essay I will cover the philosophy of Immanuel Kant and John Stuart Mill. I will begin by covering Kant perspective of rational beings and his idea of a priori learning. I will then move on to his idea of categorical imparaitive. After Kant I will discuss Mill’s utilitarian theory regarding pleasure and pain. With a better understanding of those I will move to Mill’s idea of a posteriori and hypothetical imperative. Following the ideas of these philosophers I will attempt to depict their viewpoints of the issue of animal cruelty through experimentation. To conclude the essay I will state my stance and who’s side, if either, I take in the animal cruelty controversy.…

    • 1576 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Is lying prohibited and does it make you “more worthless even than a small thing?” Well, Immanuel Kant thinks so. He wants to really make a claim that “truthfulness is a duty which no circumstances can put aside.” Kant’s argument is so biased because he only shows feelings for honesty. He then shows some negativity and cruelty to the liars, and make mean comments about them. I disagree with Kant’s argument. First of all, just because you lie, it doesn’t mean that it’s destroying your human dignity and it doesn’t harm mankind…

    • 612 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Kant has explained this by giving an example of moral principle that people should not lie and this moral principle applies to all and one cannot lie given on the situation and his past experiences. Not to lie is a basic human nature and it should be respected by all and all community follows this principle.…

    • 477 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Lies are told around the world multiple times during the day. Everyone sitting in this room has probably once today, said a lie. Sometimes lying is understandable for someone’s protection but sometimes the truth is essential to the person. There are multiple things people say in a day that are seen as lies such as “That outfit looks really good on you!,” “It wasn’t me!” and “I’ll be with you in a few minutes.” Honestly is not always the best policy because in the end it does not make everything better. People tell little lies so that they protect someone they care about and not hurt the feelings of another person. Honesty not always being the best policy is showed in The Scarlet Letter, “Tell All The Truth” poem, the “He Lies” video,…

    • 1264 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Why Are Lies Wrong

    • 722 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The dictionary defines a lie as, “a false statement made with deliberate intent to deceive; an intentional untruth; a falsehood.” However, while the intent of a lie is to deceive, that deceit is not always intended to cause detriment to others. Lies can be told for justifiable reasons such as to protect the feelings of others, but more often lies are told for the wrong reasons. For example, lies are mostly told to avoid the consequences of one’s actions such as with criminal activities and academic misconduct. When comparing acceptable and unacceptable reasons to lie, the unacceptable reasons greatly outnumber the acceptable.…

    • 722 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Lying is, arguably, needed in our everyday lifestyle and used to protect someone and or something; a friendship, or even protect someone from stressing…

    • 981 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Way We Lie

    • 572 Words
    • 3 Pages

    First off let me start of by saying that we lie. We all do. We exaggerate, we leave out things, we avoid confrontation, we try to be inconsideration of other people feelings, we conveniently forget some aspects of the truth and even keep secrets. Like most people, I find myself in situations of small falsehoods and still think of my self of an honest person. Sure I lie, but it’s not really bothering anyone or anything.…

    • 572 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Why Do People Lie

    • 792 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Today society consists of good, yet dishonest company. Deceit is more common than uncommon and research has shown that on a daily basis, lies are consistent in every individual’s life. According to a study done by U.S. News & World Report, for every 10 minutes of mundane conversation, one person will tell two to three lies. However, although lying is an evil action that is regarded by many as immoral or betrayal, research has found that a little lying can actually be good for you (Boser).…

    • 792 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The Morality Of Lying

    • 200 Words
    • 1 Page

    Some may feel that lying is never acceptable,because it’s morally wrong, however, I believe lying is acceptable when it can be used to protect others. Cohen states in article 1 “ If you’re on the way to an awards ceremony,you say, you look fabulous” For example you wouldn’t want to hurt your friends feelings so you would tell them a lie to keep them from misunderstanding. Marianna states in article 4 that “We would pretend to call each other’s homes and be the teacher. For instance, if you would want to protect your friends from getting in trouble you would do anything for them.…

    • 200 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Marijuana has created a hidden market in the United States which accounts for as much as 10% of the…

    • 1341 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Kant felt that humans have no duty to animals. He stated ““Animals are not self-conscious and are there merely as a means to an end. The end is man.” According to Immanuel Kant, humans have no direct duties to animals. Kant’s moral view of animals is that if it benefits humankind then the right of the animal should have no regard at all. Kant believed in science, he believed that if an animal had a scientific…

    • 1603 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Week 3

    • 479 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Mosser, K. (2013) explains, “The most famous objection to the deontologist's approach—specifically Kant's—is the problem posed by lying. Lying is, of course, intentionally misleading someone to think something is true when it is false or false when it is true.” Immanuel Kant believes being truthful no matter what the circumstances is the right thing to do.…

    • 479 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays