Joseph Enmanuel Cubilete Philosophy 2024 Final Project Comparing Ethical Theories: Buddha's Sermon vs. Kant's Morality. Ethics investigates the humanistic principles behind human behavior and decision-making. Ethics tackles all of the fundamental questions we as humans always ask ourselves about what makes actions right or wrong, and how we should conduct ourselves within many different situations. This essay delves into two similar, but different ethical theories, by people with very distinct identities. Today we will discuss, Buddha's First Sermon and Immanuel Kant's Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals. These texts present contrasting perspectives on morality. Buddha's sermon advocates for personal transformation, and overcoming …show more content…
Central to Kant's philosophy is the "Categorical Imperative," a principle that helps determine what is morally right. It has a few formulas, The Universal Law Formula: Act according to maxims (rules) that you would want everyone to follow. In other words, your actions should be such that you'd be okay if everyone acted the same way. Kant states, "Act only according to that maxim whereby you can, at the same time, will that it should become a universal law" (Kant). This principle requires individuals to evaluate actions based on whether they can be universally applied, across the board, with consistency. Kant also uses something called the Humanity Formula where you treat people as ends in themselves, not merely as means to an end. This means respecting each individual's inherent worth and not using people just to achieve your own goals. Kant also highlights the principles of humanity, which mandate treating others with inherent dignity and respect. a golden rule of life. Kant's framework provides a structured and objective method for evaluating moral actions, emphasizing adherence to universal principles rather than personal desires or outcomes, which in my opinion is more applicable than reaching a never-ending state of bliss, which doesn't really seem …show more content…
Buddha's teachings focus on personal enlightenment and the elimination of suffering through self-discipline. This introspective approach offers practical guidance for individual moral development, emphasizing personal transformation and balance. However, it might not fully address broader societal or ethical issues involving intricate interactions among multiple people; due to the inverse nature, it may come off as selfish. Conversely, Kant's ethical theory, emphasizing universal principles and rational duty, provides a structured framework for ethical decision-making. This approach ensures that moral judgments are based on consistent and impartial criteria, offering a clear methodology for resolving ethical dilemmas, which in my opinion is far more applicable. Despite its rigidity, Kant's emphasis on fairness and universality is valuable for addressing complex ethical issues. Counterarguments One notable counterargument to Immanuel Kant's ethics is its potential rigidity and inflexibility, especially in circumstances in which the ethics are not clear-cut and concise. Kant's insistence on adhering to universal maxims may overlook the need for empathy or contextual sensitivity, potentially resulting in ethical conclusions that feel detached or overly simplistic. To battle this,