this paper is to explain the theory of deontology, which has two types of imperatives: hypothetical and categorical that are used when deciding upon the act to be taken; also would like to identify objections against the theory of deontology. Hypothetical imperatives take the form of if you want X, you should do Y (Frederick 4). For example, if you want to become a doctor then you have to study. This hypothetical imperative not only tells us what to do but how to achieve our goal. Another example
In order to under the ethics of Kant, it is important to understand the difference between hypothetical and categorical imperatives. A hypothetical imperative is an action that has no moral basis or obligation and is based (as shown in its name) on a hypothesis. These actions are set up with a cause-effect, action-consequence model by using the hypothetical form of “if this is done, then this will happen”. Due to this a person only decides to do anything with a certain end goal in mind. For example
In Utilitarianism Mill delineates his teleological principle of utility. This essay wishes to examine Mill’s moral theory of Utilitarianism through the Greatest Happiness Principle and his two arguments that pleasure should qualitative instead of quantitative and endowed towards mental instead of physical pleasure. Additionally the shortcoming of his theory will be noted: The erosion of human rights and our rational choice to choose suitable pleasure being undermined. The Greatest Happiness Principle
Whilst utilitarianism supports democracy and encourages people to act selflessly, it is due to the intuitive dislike that utilitarianism prompts in the minds of many, that it has been subject to several criticisms. In this essay, I will use both moral intuitions and examples to outline three of the strongest objections to utilitarianism. I will furthermore illustrate how such objections ultimately show utilitarianism to be unsuccessful. To achieve this it is, however, necessary that I discuss the
Nietzsche was a German Philosopher who wrote a book called Twilight of the Idols. I will be taking some of his main points from his story and giving my standpoint on them. In my paper I will be explaining Nietzsche's morality as an anti-nature and his four great errors of human nature. The four great errors include confusing cause and consequence, false causality, imaginary causes, and free will. Nietzsche believed that philosophy should be about jumping from one extreme to another extreme and
Aristotle’s ethical theory is a philosophical theory that seeks to explain human beings habits and general conduct. The theory majorly focuses on the ethics of common sense and is based on two main philosophical aspects. The two are naturalism and self-realization. Naturalism is a philosophical aspect that mainly focuses on how things come into being. It discusses the natural components of everything and the philosophical view of how everything started existing. Self-realization is on the other hand
outlook.’’ He critiques Kant’s thought by observing ‘‘every action explicitly calls for a particular content and a specific end, while duty as abstraction entails nothing of the kind.’’ (Hegel Philosophy of Right 134) Hegel contends that the only way Kant can possibly deduce a particular duty is if Kant already accepted certain existing moral opinions or customs as justifiable. For example, it is certainly a contradictory maxim to accept a deposit that is entrusted to me without planning to return
Also, there is another important aspect of Kantianism, which is called a categorical imperative. This is the aspect that helps us to constrain our maxims. In accordance to Kant, there are three different formulations of the categorical imperative: formula of the universal law, formula of the end-in-itself, and formula of the kingdom of ends. (White, 2015C, p. 2) The formula of the universal law is telling us about the maxims that can be transferable into a universal law, which means that the action
be only exist in kind of formula determining if an action is moral or not. He named the formula Categorical Imperative which can be basically defined as “Always act so that you can will the rule of your action to be a universal law.” It is ‘categorical’ because it is not ‘hypothetical’ or ‘contingent’ on anything, but is always and everywhere ‘universal’. Because it is called an ‘imperative’
Categorical Imperative and Duties Kant divides duties into two groups- duties towards others and duties towards self. They are further subdivided into strict and meritorious duties. Lets consider these duties one by one in light of Categorical Imperative. Strict Duties to others : Consider a person is in need of money. He has no other option left except to borrow it from someone else. He ultimately borrows the money and promises to pay it back. Now, the question arises, should he keep his promise
The desire to be successful exists in everyone but success is often associated with the possession of wealth and material goods. These characteristics in people will lead to unhappiness. One particular sin evident in the world today is greed. Greed is defined as an excessive desire to possess wealth or goods and the greed that exists in the world leads people to unhappy and selfish lives. This is evident in individual people, corporate companies and in the government. When an individual feels that
From a consequentialist viewpoint however the action is morally right because the end justifies the means (Piercey, 2001), therefore this viewpoint seems the most normal. However during the second scenario within the movie consequentialism no longer plays a role to support the moral theory. Here it is evident the Gekko uses Fox for his own personal gain – manipulating a person as means to an end. Both theories seem to have their benefits and it is a real problem choosing which theory is true and
Hyper-Vigilance Many issues are in the face of law enforcement officers on a daily basis . Most of which, an officer cannot just shrug off and get on with the daily duties and tasks of life. Hypervigilance and Hyper aggression is a growing problem among law enforcement officer's that requires a system that can be put into place that will help them deal with the mechanisms these officer's face on a daily basis. It begins as one form and without some form of counseling, and recreates itself into another
Filial Piety Filial piety generally means respect for one's parents. In the Chinese culture, obeying one's parents is held as one the most important virtues. Confucianism particularly gives a high value for this. Relating the meaning of filial piety to Martin Luther King Jr. time would have been an endless cycle of mistakes. Martin Luther King Jr.’s role during his era was to change the mindsets of all parent figures and children to better the future of African Americans in the United States
The statement “Given the nature of Capitalist Societies, crime is rational” reflects a truth because capitalism itself is a crime. It leads to a society where people become violent and greedy, forgetting about morality, only because more money can be made this way. In a capitalist society, crime is generated by inequality because some people earn more money than others and everyone is looking to earn more and more money. Crime can be defined as an action or behaviour that violates the formal written
reason, motives, and intentions whereas Mill believes in reason, feeling and interest. In order to disprove the idea that self-interest, sympathy, generosity, and happiness is connected with ethics, Kant creates the concept of the Categorical Imperative. Kant portrays this concept by stating, “Act as if the maxim of your action were to become through your will a universal law of nature” (Kant 30). Kant uses several examples to further one’s understanding of this quote. One example he uses is the
Topic:- The Critical Study of Kant’s Doctrine of Right. Introduction: What is Right? A right is the sovereignty to act without the permission of others. A right defines what we may do without the permission of those other men and it erects a moral and legal barrier across which they may not cross. It is your protection against those who attempt to forcibly take some of your life’s time, your money or property. Rights are entitlements to perform certain actions, or to be in certain states, or entitlements
"Act that you use humanity, whether in your person or in another, always at the same time as an end, never merely as a means." This is the translation of Immanuel Kant 's second categorical imperative which was also known as 'Mere Means Principle ' or 'The Principle of Humanity '. This principle put forth by the great philosopher attempts to give us parameters on, when using people is justified and when it is not. Using other people for our personal benefit cannot be justified morally
Don’t Breathe portrays suspense and fear in similar ways to other thriller films. In the beginning Rocky acted by Jane Levy, Money acted by Daniel Zovatto, and Alex acted by Dylan Minnette begin by robbing different homeowners as a means to acquire money to support their family as well sell the unneeded items. This excitement ended when they decided to rob a blind veteran who supposedly has $300,000 in cash in his home. Money without thinking of the repercussions decides to break in and attempt at
“Categorical imperative may be defined as a way of evaluating motivations for action.”[1].According to Kant, “human beings occupy a special place in creation, and morality can be summed up in an imperative, or ultimate commandment of reason, from which all duties and obligations derive.” [1] He defined an imperative “as any proposition declaring a certain action (or inaction) to be necessary.”[1]It shows the relationship between rational objective rules and will which, as far as its subjective nature