ipl-logo

Immanuel Kant Absolute

1435 Words6 Pages

ID: A15030880
Prof. Elnabli
Philosophical Ethics
9 March 2018
The Absolute and Universal Nature of Moral Law
In Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals, Immanuel Kant examines imperatives, which serve as objective guides of action for rational beings that are otherwise led by the subjectivity of the human will. He approaches morality by examining the intentions and actions of humans rather than the consequences of such actions, and thus his moral theory is centered around discovering absolute laws to guide ethical human action. Kant asserts that the basis of morality then, is a categorical imperative. This imperative culminates in three different formulations, all of which he asserts are necessary to follow in order to be an ethical human …show more content…

Rational beings have the faculty of a will, utilized when acting. In addition, they have the faculty of reason, which allows them to choose actions on the basis of principles. Kant argues that the only thing good without qualification is a good will, which is the goal of his ethical theory. A good will employs reason to act from a sense of duty, which simply means to act apart from the “influence of inclination”, and instead according to “pure respect for the practical law” (Kant 13). Kant’s moral theory focuses on an individual’s choices and actions, rather than the consequences of such actions. That is, an action is judged based “merely on the principle of volition” it has been done with, and it is said to have moral worth when it is done from a sense of duty (Kant …show more content…

Specifically, it must hold true for all rational beings regardless of context, and must be capable of guiding rational beings to the right action in every circumstance. Therefore, such concepts “cannot be abstracted from any empirical, and hence merely contingent, cognition” (Kant 22). Instead moral concepts must be conceived of a priori, or through reasoning that is independent of personal experience, in order to give them “genuine influence”, and “absolute worth” to their corresponding actions (Kant 23). Kant then brings forth the idea of imperatives to guide human moral behavior. Most imperatives outline actions which are necessary to attain a specific desired end. These are hypothetical, and do not have absolute worth for all rational beings. The relevant imperative would then be one which “determines the will by means of representations of reason”, and which commands an action as “objectively necessary in itself, without reference to another end” (Kant 24-25). This categorical imperative is thus the ground of moral law, and Kant asserts that is it to “act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law” (30). Three principles of action stem from the categorical

Show More
Related

Utilitarianism And Kantian Ethics

833 Words | 4 Pages

Kantians believe that the rightness or wrongness of an action does not depend on the consequences, but on whether they fulfill a duty. They must act in a way that will produce the greatest overall amount of good in the world. In this view there is no obligation to give money to a homeless person, but it is the right thing to do. Kant’s supreme moral principle is the categorical imperative. The categorical imperative is a moral law that is unconditional for all agents because of intrinsic value.

Read More

Groundwork For The Metaphysics Of Morals Summary

1090 Words | 5 Pages

The hypothetical imperative relies on a desired outcome: "If you want ____, you must do ____". Duty is removed from the hypothetical imperative. Categorical imperative carries far more nuance in Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals, it takes on three different formulations in the text as moral law. Although these formulations are perhaps simply restating, individually, they provide unique insights into Kant's thinking. In the first formulation, Kant says "Act only in accordance with that maxim through which you can at the same time will that it become a universal law" (Kant 421).

Read More

Categorical Imperative Case Study

847 Words | 4 Pages

A good will is defined maintaining moral value even if the actions do not accomplish its original intentions. The will is only considered good when it aligns with personal duty. Kant states duty should act from the respect of the moral law, and moral law is defined by the categorical imperative. The categorical imperative is a system that defines if a decision made by an individual is morally right or wrong in every circumstance based on an individual's moral obligations. The categorical imperative has a test to determine if the person's actions contain good will and duty.

Read More

Grounding For The Metaphysics Of Morals Summary

1514 Words | 7 Pages

Kant believes that moral laws are not contingent on characteristics or inclinations, but must apply to anyone with rational thought. By saying that it should be “absolutely necessary” he implies that moral principles are strict and not flexible. This reinforces his belief in the obedience needed for moral principles, which are not compatible with the subjectiveness of human nature. Further on, Kant argues that experiences, which are subject to change, cannot be the basis of moral principles, which he calls “apodictic laws.” He thinks that if moral laws were based solely on empirical observations of humanity, they would not be universally applicable to all rational beings.

Read More

In-Compatibilism: Philosopher Immanuel Kant

983 Words | 4 Pages

A categorical imperative is a moral obligation that is binding in all circumstances, whereas a hypothetical imperative is when an action is based on desire instead of reason.

Read More

Groundwork For Metaphysic Of Morals By Immanuel Kant

561 Words | 3 Pages

Immanuel Kant, a renowned philosopher, reflected upon the fundamental question of ethics concerning what makes a moral action wrong or right. In the “Groundwork for Metaphysic of Morals” by Kant, he claims that the only thing good is without qualification is “the good will.” Kant’s idea/belief highlights the essence of moral intentions and duty over self-interest or external factors, but it overlooks the importance of outcomes and consequences in determining moral goodness. His ideology sparks philosophical discourse, which leads to varied ethical perspectives regarding moral intention versus the outcomes of determining moral goodness. According to Kant, an act is considered good if done from moral duty and is not influenced by personal desires or external factors.

Read More

Groundwork Of The Metaphysics Of Morals By Immanuel Kant

1286 Words | 6 Pages

In summary, the strengths of Kant's argument lie in its emphasis on the universality and impartiality of moral principles. By prioritizing duty over personal desires and grounding morality in reason, Kant provides a clear and objective framework for ethical decision-making. This approach promotes fairness, justice, and the pursuit of universal moral truths while avoiding the pitfalls of

Read More

Discussing The Metaphysics Of Kant's Moral Law

1476 Words | 6 Pages

As a deontological (duty-based) philosopher, Kant believes that morality is based on duty and respect. He emphasizes rationality as the only significant fact relevant to morality. His formulation of the categorical imperative serves to launch his argument regarding what it means to be truly moral and what it takes to universalize a moral law. The aim of Kant’s work was to establish

Read More

Kant's Categorical Imperative: Unconditional Moral

527 Words | 3 Pages

The categorical imperative was the unconditional moral principles that one’s behavior should accord with universalizable maxims which respect as ends in themselves, the obligation to do one’s duty for its own sake and not in pursuit of further ends. Kant has three proposition of morality, first is and action must be done from a sense of duty it is to have moral worth, we cannot do something because we want to, but it is our duty really, we must be unhappy to truly do a moral action. Second is an action done form duty derives its moral worth from the maxim by which its is determined. It depends on the principle of volition. Third is the duty is the necessity of acting from respect for the law.

Read More

Categorical Imperative Kant

284 Words | 2 Pages

Immanuel Kant believed that genuine morality was based on reason, with a catch that is. Kant spent a considerable amount of his life attempting to distinguish human nature apart from animal nature. He concluded that humans possessed the divine trait of reason and through a sense of duty should apply that very same trait in order to become worthy of happiness. In his pursuit to systematically define human morality, Kant, composed the Categorical Imperative. The foundational concept of this work was a stated: Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law without contradiction.

Read More

Hume Vs Kant

2014 Words | 9 Pages

The categorical imperative is the idea that “I should never act except in such a way that I can also will my maxim should become a universal law” (Kant, 14). After much deliberation, Kant concludes that the categorical imperative must be the only one. Afterward, Kant states the first formulation of the categorical imperative, sometimes called the formula of the law of nature, “act as if the maxim of your action were to become through your will a universal law of nature” (Kant, 30). Expounding upon this idea, Kant explains the difference between perfect(irremissible) and imperfect(meritorious) duty (Kant, 32).

Read More

Immanuel Kant's Two Versions Of Categorical Imperative

296 Words | 2 Pages

German philosopher Immanuel Kant accepted the basic proposition that a theory of duties and rules telling us what we are obligated to do was the right approach to ethical problems (Velasquez, 2012). Kant wanted a way to gather all of the principle or duty that we have been talking about to work together, instead of leaving us confused between being only loyal to one principle or duty. Kant argued moral requirements are on a standard of the categorical imperative. Therefore, Kant believed that categorical imperative is based on the principle to determine whether one’s actions is ethically correct, in other words an ethical rule that does not depend on circumstances (Velasquez, 2012). Kant proposed two versions of categorical imperatives: first

Read More

Kant's Absolute View Of Human Morality

711 Words | 3 Pages

In this essay I will explore Kant’s absolute view of the human moral. Kant uses examples to explain what it means to be moral, and if that moral behavior is universal. Kant argues that in order for an action to be considered good, all its intentions must be good as well. We undertake tasks because we think they will serve as a moral duty. Kant argues that a moral law that is almost innate in all of us holds us all—there is an unwritten code that most of us try and follow.

Read More

Theme Of Racism In Native Son

896 Words | 4 Pages

Oppression and Racism what are they? The dictionary defines oppression as “A prolonged cruel or unjust treatment or exercise of authority”, and Racism as “A belief that a particular race or group of people is superior or inferior to another”. Both of these exist in many societies and take on many forms and have no respect of your gender, your race or your financial status. In the early 1900’s in many parts of the United States these forces affected the decisions of many and controlled many of the actions of the people in that era.

Read More

Basic Principle Deontological Analysis

929 Words | 4 Pages

Kant believes that most people know right from wrong; the problem most people have is not in knowing what is morally, but in doing it. Kant also argued that rightness or wrongness of particular acts is determined by rules; these rules could be determined by his principle of universalizability. He also argued reason require not only that moral duties be universal but also absolutely binding. For instance, when lying is the only option to save someone’s life, still we shall not lie for it is morally wrong to lie. Kant introduced categorical imperative which states that people ought to do something regardless of the consequences.

Read More

More about Immanuel Kant Absolute

Related Topics

Open Document