Immanuel Kant Concept Of Morality

Superior Essays
Topic One Immanuel Kant was an extremely influential philosopher in the 18th century, who many consider to be the father of modern philosophy. His groundbreaking work on morality is best exemplified in his book, The Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals. This book introduces readers to the concepts of morality and the idea of what it means to have good will. Metaphysics is defined as a branch of philosophy that deals with the first principle of things which includes concepts such as being, knowing, substance, cause, identity, time and space. In this book, Kant explains that all rational knowledge is either formal or material. Formal philosophy is known as logic, and the material philosophy deals with determinate objects and laws that those …show more content…
Kant describes the categorical imperative as, “A categorical imperative, which declares an action to be of itself objectively necessary without reference to any purpose hold an apodictic practical principle” (25). While that quote seems confusing, it can be explained quite simply. Kant says that the CI is a set of rules that is to be followed by everyone due to their moral obligations. He goes on to explain that the CI is a necessary action that has an end in itself. Based upon this explanation, one can assume that the categorical imperative could be considered a necessity because it applies to everyone. This claim has a direct connection with another of Kant’s definitions. Kant defines a command as, “the representation of an objective principle insofar as it necessitates the will” (24). Following this logic, the CI can be considered a command in which the action performed is determined by reason and only reason, which in turn makes the action unconditionally good. Therefore, the categorical imperative is considered the right thing to do because the action commanded by it is led by reason rather than desire. Due to its nature, the CI is not subjectively binding and it does not simply apply to one individual. Returning to the original definition of the categorical imperative, one must also consider the apodictic principle. This principle describes how the action is attained and bound by …show more content…
The first proposition states that in order to have moral worth, an action must be done out of moral duty. The second proposition states that the moral worth of something is determined by an act of willing. This is essentially just doing the right thing regardless of whether your actions are rewarded. The final proposition talks about how moral worth states that moral duty is done because of a respect for the law. This is an example of a maxim. A maxim, per Kant, can be defined as, “the subjective principle of acting must be distinguished from the objective principle, viz., the practical law” (30). Kant uses contradiction to test the moral worth of maxims. On page 32, Kant explains that “some actions are so constituted that their maxims cannot without contradiction even be thought as a universal law of nature, much less be willed as what should become one” (32). Kant goes on to talk about the universality of moral

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    Immanuel Kant was a memorable philosopher of the eighteenth century most famously credited by his work The Critique of Pure Reason, which played a role in the revolution of Western philosophy. In a later publish of Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, Immanuel Kant introduces Kantian ethics which consist of theories such as the categorical imperative. Unlike many philosophers of the time, Kant also bases his ethical values off reason, instead of God. Also when making decisions using Kantian ethics, Kant supports the result of happiness, but not at the expense of prohibited actions. When comparing philosophical views to reach the conclusion of what is right, John Stuart Mill can be compared as he showcases the principle of utility, holding…

    • 1205 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Immanuel Kant On Duty

    • 1621 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Philosophy is a discipline that studies how one ought to live, as well as study reality, nature, existence, etc. However, there are a number of philosophers who propose differing sets of morals and have different ideas of living life to its fullest (Singer v. Mill). Kant proposes that moral actions are defined by the motivation of an action, and later on explains that moral actions are duties through reason, rather than inclination. This essay will explain the validity of Kant’s argument by first explaining Kant’s view on duty, then analyse his view of duty as an object of good will, which pertains to motivations without the slightest selfishness, then argue for moral duties motivated by duty instead of inclination based on reason. It is difficult…

    • 1621 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Great Essays

    An Exploration of Othello: Delving into the Mind Frame of Desdemona and Iago Immanuel Kant’s view on ethics and morality is that in order to determine if we are acting in a fashion that can be deemed moral, we have not only a duty to ourselves but others. It is duty that determines our actions. Kant establishes certain limitations and restrictions upon the notion of duty, narrowing down a definition which would allow us to therefore be able to readily distinguish “whether the action which agrees with duty is done from duty, or from a selfish view” (Kant 2). In order to figure out whether our actions correspond to this concept of duty, Kant has established what is known as the categorical imperative which states that you should reflect upon your actions and be comfortable with them becoming a universal law. Insofar as duty is concerned, if we follow this principle it allows for a broader understanding of what is meant by moral and ethical behaviour.…

    • 2091 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Asti Hastings 5 November 2017 Intro. To Ethics: Paper #2 The readings of Immanuel Kant in his book Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, can be compared to reading a book in a completely different language. The words just looked like odd shapes on the page that I simply could not figure out. Reading these chapters was one of the hardest things I have ever done in a classroom.…

    • 1955 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Immanuel Kant’s Moral Theory is widely studied in philosophy and the field of ethics. In his theory, Kant expresses the ways to determine the morality of an action: examining the intentions behind the action in question is most important instead of merely considering the consequences. Moral actions, he explains, must have the intention of being consistent with duty for the sake of duty and doing the right thing; they cannot be motivated by any inclinations. Actions inconsistent with duty would be, for example, lying, cheating, stealing, or breaking a promise. These actions could never be moral in any case since they defy the honesty of duty.…

    • 704 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    In this paper, I will discuss Kant’s moral reasoning, both broadly and in terms of a case study, and elaborate on some issues with Kantian ethics. The core of Kant’s ideas on morality is his statement that "nothing can possibly be conceived in the world, or even out of it, which can be called good without qualification, except a good will". He defines this good will as “the will which acts from freedom and respect for the moral law”, meaning that one must choose by their own volition to pursue morality. Kant believes the only purely good thing is this idea of good will. In saying this, Kant draws a line between good will and traits like happiness, wealth, and even health that are usually thought to be good.…

    • 1283 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In Immanuel Kant’s “Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals” he was trying to persuade us to understand how to construct the nature of the human mind and its universal laws of ethics. Kant wrote this book basically to explain the rules of justice and how can the human mind be virtuous. He helps us to understand the morality of your individual human rights as well as justice. Rights are enforceable good claims against others, so in expressing that others have a commitment to regard my rights we are at the same time insisting my entitlement to utilize constrain to secure my rights. Kant explains his morality philosophy as the good versus the bad.…

    • 1390 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Immanuel Kant an 18th century German philosopher considered rather notable for his work in ethical philosophy. Kant was responsible for the book Groundwork of Metaphysics of Morality and his work remains relevant today as a crucial ‘part of Western Moral Philosophy’. Kant argues that reason is what predisposes what is right. Kant believed that religion should not be taken into consideration when determining what is morally right. Kant’s reasoning of this is explained that if one only gaged what is right based on religion this would not result in a ‘supreme principle of morality’ for all people.…

    • 1090 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Great Essays

    Kant's Conceptions Of Duty

    • 1513 Words
    • 7 Pages

    In this fashion, Kant attributes a state of universality to the right moral identifying principles. For Kant, the root of moral reasoning has to rely on a condition where every rational individual is destined to approve. In term, Doing the correct thing is therefore not deceided by acting in search of a person’s own interests or desires but instead acting in harmony with a maxim which all rational people are likely to accept. Kant labels this the categorical imperative, he has calculated it in these terms, “act only on that maxim through which you can at the same time will that it should become a universal…

    • 1513 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Moreover, the categorical imperative must be followed even if there is no harm in not observing it for example, a person should not cross the red light even if there is no oncoming traffic or pedestrians. Disobeying this rule at any point in time would mean that one could always break this rule. Morality is unique to humans as Aristotle said because we are rational beings. Since we are rational beings, and we can reason, every act we commit is more or less reasoned before being committed. Therefore, the categorical imperative is used to determine whether or not a person can or cannot commit an act.…

    • 1463 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Kant’s Groundworks of the Metaphysics of Morals, and Mill’s Utilitarianism, each offer different arguments about what is morality. They both give us fundamental and universal theories about morality. Before we compare the two, let’s first start with a summary of the main arguments of each philosopher. Mill begins chapter one by setting the stage for what he is going to discuss. Philosophers have discussed the foundation of morality for more than two thousand years.…

    • 1351 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Kant's Moral Theory Essay

    • 910 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Kant’s moral theory is based on the fact that one’s action should be governed by a maxim that follows the purity of the will; the idea that one’s actions should be based on a will that aligns with duty and not on the consequences of one’s actions. In the contrary, rule utilitarianism is based on the consequences of one’s actions and how it impacts the overall happiness of the individuals involved. The following paper focuses on the ideas of duty ethics and utilitarian ethics; and how these ideas can be implemented in the case of James Liang. Kant believes that an act is morally acceptable when such an act perfectly aligns with one’s duty. Furthermore, he believed that all rational beings are obligated by the demands of duty.…

    • 910 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Moreover, as long as the moral law does not depend on our desires, it consists of what is called ‘categorical imperatives’ in Kant’s philosophical works (Gakuran…

    • 698 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Lastly, Kant presents A priori ideas, which in term is a special kind of idea that tells you about the possibility of human experience, however these experiences don’t depend on experience that you have already had, but are supplied by reason in order to make sense of an…

    • 1295 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    '(3) "Act according to the maxims if a universally legislative member of a merely potential kingdom of ends. " In other words, Kant argues that particular action requires conscious thought of the rule governing the action. Whether if everyone should follow that rule, and if the rule is acceptable for universal action, it should be adopted. If the rule is unacceptable, then it should be rejected. In order to understand whether or not an action follows Kant's "categorical imperative," we must prescribe those norms that we wish to be universal…

    • 764 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays