What Is The First Proposition Of Duty

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Today, more than ever, Article five of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is of upmost importance. Everyday there is a national story of individuals being harmed, or killed due to their race. Most recently, the mass murder that took place in Charleston South Carolina, where nine individuals were murdered in hopes of fueling a race riot. Another common news story centering on the violation of article five are the numerous reports of alleged police brutality related to race. Police brutality is define as, “A civil rights violation that occurs when a police officer acts with excessive force by using an amount of force with regards to a civilian that is more than necessary. Excessive force by law enforcement officers is a violation.
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The first proposition of duty is the theory of a genuine act of a good duty is one where a person takes action just from a sense of duty without regard to the personal benefit it may have or acting out of what is expected, “A good will is good not because of what it effects or accomplishes, nor because of its fitness to attain some proposed end; it is good only through its willing, i.e., it is good with in itself” (Kant, Section I, loc. 388). The second proposition of duty examines the moral motivation of a duty not the purpose of an action, “An action done from duty has its moral worth, not in the purpose that is to be attained by it, but in the maxim according to which that action is determined taking action based on duty alone, not on obtaining a specific result” (Kant, Section I, loc. 486). The third proposition aligns with the first two propositions, “Duty is the necessity of an action done out of the respect for the law” Kant, Section I, loc. 497). Kant believes that one should not be concerned with consequences, as one does not have control over the consequences or the outcome. Kant’s perspective relates to Article Five in that if individuals act from a moral duty based on law and not to attain a specific result then all people would be treated both equally and fairly preventing any type of harm or punishment. This would hold especially true …show more content…
Undesirable actions such as police brutality, child abuse, and human trafficking occur daily. Following theses actions consequences must occur. As Aristotle would say, there needs to be a mean between the two extremes, “Among these three conditions, then, two are vices-one of excess, one of deficiency-and one, the mean, is virtue” (NE, II, 11108b, 11). Aristotle believes individuals should aim at achieving mid range or temperance. Aristotle’s theory of finding the mean can be applied when deciding on appropriate punishments for unjust actions. Furthermore, through repetition we can develop and maintain a just and moral lifestyle. Living in a society where everyone encouraged and practiced the Universal Declaration of Human Rights would serve as a great, positive environment for

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