Kant's Philosophy
Kant’s Moral Philosophy
Faafetai Ieremia Jr
Kant’s Moral Philosophy
Introduction Kant’s moral philosophy is also known as Kantian ethics. It is a type of a deontological theory, which is based on ethics. Immanuel Kant founded this deontological theory. Kant’s theory developed as a culmination to the enlightenment rationalism. The basic central idea of this theory is that the good will is the intrinsic quality of nature. Hence, if the action is morally good, maxim, it acts as the theory behind the duty to the moral law. Kant’s moral law gave birth to the idea of categorical imperative. According to the theory of Kant, it is an idea, which acts as a moral law applicable to all people, irrespective of what their wishes, and interests are. “Act only to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law.” (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2008). Kant’s theory has the unique quality of Kant’s formulation of moral law in the categorical imperative. The basic universal idea of Kant’s ethics reveal that in order to have permission to any action, the action needs to be applicable to all mankind without any disagreement. Moreover, this ethical theory states that human beings are not defined as beings who talks of an end but rather are an autonomous end in themselves. The theory formulation also deals with the autonomy which results in saying that rational agents are willfully restricted to the moral law. Kant says that the idea of the Kingdom of Ends is about the establishment of the idea based on hypothetical kingdom, which is assumed by the people to be created by their actions (Pomerleau, 2013). In addition, Kant’s theory also portrays the idea of imperfect and perfect duties. In light of this view, the idea that human beings should not lie, is the perfect duty and it hold the truth in its centre. While charity, is an imperfect duty, which is applicable in specific moments and times. Many
Faafetai Ieremia Jr
Kant’s Moral Philosophy
Introduction Kant’s moral philosophy is also known as Kantian ethics. It is a type of a deontological theory, which is based on ethics. Immanuel Kant founded this deontological theory. Kant’s theory developed as a culmination to the enlightenment rationalism. The basic central idea of this theory is that the good will is the intrinsic quality of nature. Hence, if the action is morally good, maxim, it acts as the theory behind the duty to the moral law. Kant’s moral law gave birth to the idea of categorical imperative. According to the theory of Kant, it is an idea, which acts as a moral law applicable to all people, irrespective of what their wishes, and interests are. “Act only to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law.” (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2008). Kant’s theory has the unique quality of Kant’s formulation of moral law in the categorical imperative. The basic universal idea of Kant’s ethics reveal that in order to have permission to any action, the action needs to be applicable to all mankind without any disagreement. Moreover, this ethical theory states that human beings are not defined as beings who talks of an end but rather are an autonomous end in themselves. The theory formulation also deals with the autonomy which results in saying that rational agents are willfully restricted to the moral law. Kant says that the idea of the Kingdom of Ends is about the establishment of the idea based on hypothetical kingdom, which is assumed by the people to be created by their actions (Pomerleau, 2013). In addition, Kant’s theory also portrays the idea of imperfect and perfect duties. In light of this view, the idea that human beings should not lie, is the perfect duty and it hold the truth in its centre. While charity, is an imperfect duty, which is applicable in specific moments and times. Many
References: Chlobi, M. (2010). PHL 440 Seminar in Values (Kantian Ethics). pp. 2. Data Retrieved from http://michael.cholbi.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/PHL440wt10Kantsethics-syllabus.pdf Hooker, B. (2002). Kant’s Normative Ethics. Richmond Journal of Philosophy 1. Data Retrieved http://www.richmond-philosophy.net/rjp/back_issues/rjp1_hooker.pdf Kelechi, I &E. (2005). The Implications of Kant’s Conception of the Absolute Good Will for some Current Ethica Issues like Suicide, War, Abortion, Violence, Corruption and Terrorism. pp. 5. Data Retrieved from http://www.frasouzu.com/Issues%20and%20Papers/Iwuagwu%20Emmanuel%20Kelechi%20on%20The%20implications%20of%20Kants%20Conception%20of%20Absolute%20Good%20Will.pdf Pomerleau, W. (2013). Immanuel Kant: Philosophy of Religion. IEP. Data Retrieved from http://www.iep.utm.edu/kant-rel/ Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. (2008). Kant’s Moral Philosophy. Data Retrieved from http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/kant-moral/ Wood, A. (1999). Kant’s Ethical Thought. Cambridge University Press. pp. 17. Data Retrieved from http://catdir.loc.gov/catdir/samples/cam032/98032168.pdf Yount, D. (2005). Immanuel Kant’s Ethical Theory Rights and Duties. pp. 4. Data Retrieved from http://www.saylor.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/BUS205-11.3.2-Immanuel-Kants-Ethical-Theory.pdf