Ethics Response Paper
Chapter Nine: Are There Absolute Moral Rules?
In chapter nine of The Elements of Moral Philosophy by James and Stuart Rachels, the authors discuss Immanuel Kant’s moral theory and arguments on absolute moral rules. James and Stuart Rachels begin chapter nine with the story of Harry Truman and Elizabeth Anscombe. Anscombe views Truman as a murderer for ordering the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Kantian ethics consists of absolute rules independent of consequences. The Rachels point out that moral obligations, by contrast, do not depend on having particular desires, instead they are categorical; that is, having reason. Hypothetical imperatives tell us what to do provided that we have the relevant desires. Categorical …show more content…
I recall back to seven years ago in secondary school. As a boarding school student at the time, I was governed by a set of rules which I had to abide by or face the consequences of going against the rules. Long story short, students were not allowed to be in possession of candy while on campus. I received permission to exit the school for health purposes, on my way out of school a good friend requested I buy her some candy to share on her upcoming birthday. I did just as she had requested but unfortunately for me, on entering the campus, the discipline master checked my bags and found the candy in there. Lo and behold, I told him the truth behind me being in possession of candy. He requested I write a report, in which I said exactly what I had told him before not minding the fact that my friend and I could be punished. Few days after I had submitted the report, the discipline master tempered justice with mercy, and my friend and I were free. Then, I thought to myself, "maybe if I had lied to the disciplinarian I would have been punished." I think Kant's idea of telling the truth regardless worked for me. Moreover, if we lied instead of saying the truth, there is no guarantee that lying would save both parties. In the Christian community, a saying goes like this, "the truth shall set you
Chapter Nine: Are There Absolute Moral Rules?
In chapter nine of The Elements of Moral Philosophy by James and Stuart Rachels, the authors discuss Immanuel Kant’s moral theory and arguments on absolute moral rules. James and Stuart Rachels begin chapter nine with the story of Harry Truman and Elizabeth Anscombe. Anscombe views Truman as a murderer for ordering the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Kantian ethics consists of absolute rules independent of consequences. The Rachels point out that moral obligations, by contrast, do not depend on having particular desires, instead they are categorical; that is, having reason. Hypothetical imperatives tell us what to do provided that we have the relevant desires. Categorical …show more content…
I recall back to seven years ago in secondary school. As a boarding school student at the time, I was governed by a set of rules which I had to abide by or face the consequences of going against the rules. Long story short, students were not allowed to be in possession of candy while on campus. I received permission to exit the school for health purposes, on my way out of school a good friend requested I buy her some candy to share on her upcoming birthday. I did just as she had requested but unfortunately for me, on entering the campus, the discipline master checked my bags and found the candy in there. Lo and behold, I told him the truth behind me being in possession of candy. He requested I write a report, in which I said exactly what I had told him before not minding the fact that my friend and I could be punished. Few days after I had submitted the report, the discipline master tempered justice with mercy, and my friend and I were free. Then, I thought to myself, "maybe if I had lied to the disciplinarian I would have been punished." I think Kant's idea of telling the truth regardless worked for me. Moreover, if we lied instead of saying the truth, there is no guarantee that lying would save both parties. In the Christian community, a saying goes like this, "the truth shall set you