Kantian ethics is concerned with doing the most morally correct thing and to do something as it is our duty to do so. Kantian ethics is deontological as it is concerned with the actions rather than the consequences which mean it must also be absolute because there is no room for exception. Kant believed we all knew what it was to have moral obligation meaning Kantian ethics would be considered a priori as we all have prior knowledge of what moral obligation is and this is just knowledge we have without gaining it from experience. Kant says that we should treat people as means in themselves rather than having yourself as the means. Kant also stated that we should all act in a way in which it can be universalized.
With all this being said, when applied to having a right to a child, Kant wouldn’t be moved by compassion regarding a situation where a couple can’t get pregnant. Kant believes our feelings shouldn’t come into it. Kant believes personal feelings are irrelevant and we should act out of duty because it’s our duty to do so.
A way in which people get pregnant is with the help of a surrogate. For example a friend may volunteer to be a surrogate for the struggling couple but she should only do this out of moral obligation and because this is a way of her doing her duty. This would mean that surrogates shouldn’t volunteer for things in return such as money. If they do it for money then they would be following the hypothetical imperative meaning they are doing something for themselves, a personal goal. After using our moral obligation to determine whether surrogacy is right or wrong, the surrogate should then do what is right.
If we believe that being a surrogate for money is right then we believe it is okay for this to e universalized. This meaning that we would believe it is ok for everybody to be a surrogate for money rather than doing something because it’s our duty.
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