Kant's Jealousy
1. How does Kant distinguish grudge from envy? Why is the extreme of envy “devilish”?
Kant believes, “Grudge is the displeasure we feel when someone else has what we lack. Grudge becomes envy when we resent the pleasure or good fortune of someone. Kant calls the extremes of envy “devilish vices.” Therefore, in the extreme of envy, ungrateful persons hate their benefactors.
2. We sometimes say to a friend, “I envy you.” Can we envy people without begrudging their happiness? Explain. How does Kant view this?
I do not believe we can envy people without begrudging their happiness. The article states to grudge a man his happiness is envy. When we are envious or jealous, we desire the failure and unhappiness of others and often times imagine …show more content…
Also, this will allow a person to increase their own worth. However, when comparing yourself to others we must be careful not to depreciate others good qualities to make yourself look superior to them. Therefore, one vice associated with comparing ourselves with others is jealousy. When you compare with one and find the person to have more than you, it promotes jealousy. Grudging is another vice associated with comparing ourselves with others.
4. What are the three devilish vices, and what is devilish about them? Does Kant believe that the devilish vices are natural? Why or why not? What is their origin?
The three devilish vices are envy, ingratitude and malice and they are the essence of vileness and evilness. Envy gives way to a feeling of wanting to have what someone else has. Along the same lines ingratitude leaves you feeling ungrateful and unthankful. While malice is the intention to do evil along with wrong intentions. Kant does not believe that the above vices are natural. However, he does believe “they are human characteristics for which we can assign no reason.” I believe the three vices are learned behavior.
5. What does Kant think is wrong about accepting favors? Do you think Kant demands too much of the average person? Is his doctrine too austere?
Kant believes, “Grudge is the displeasure we feel when someone else has what we lack. Grudge becomes envy when we resent the pleasure or good fortune of someone. Kant calls the extremes of envy “devilish vices.” Therefore, in the extreme of envy, ungrateful persons hate their benefactors.
2. We sometimes say to a friend, “I envy you.” Can we envy people without begrudging their happiness? Explain. How does Kant view this?
I do not believe we can envy people without begrudging their happiness. The article states to grudge a man his happiness is envy. When we are envious or jealous, we desire the failure and unhappiness of others and often times imagine …show more content…
Also, this will allow a person to increase their own worth. However, when comparing yourself to others we must be careful not to depreciate others good qualities to make yourself look superior to them. Therefore, one vice associated with comparing ourselves with others is jealousy. When you compare with one and find the person to have more than you, it promotes jealousy. Grudging is another vice associated with comparing ourselves with others.
4. What are the three devilish vices, and what is devilish about them? Does Kant believe that the devilish vices are natural? Why or why not? What is their origin?
The three devilish vices are envy, ingratitude and malice and they are the essence of vileness and evilness. Envy gives way to a feeling of wanting to have what someone else has. Along the same lines ingratitude leaves you feeling ungrateful and unthankful. While malice is the intention to do evil along with wrong intentions. Kant does not believe that the above vices are natural. However, he does believe “they are human characteristics for which we can assign no reason.” I believe the three vices are learned behavior.
5. What does Kant think is wrong about accepting favors? Do you think Kant demands too much of the average person? Is his doctrine too austere?