Kant's Aphorisms In The Metaphysic Of Moral

Improved Essays
Kant and Nietzsche According to Kant the only thing in this world that is explicitly good is “good will.” Exploring the aphorisms in the Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals, we will examine the three primary factors Kant uses as his basis for confirming good will. In the first of three primary factors Kant explains, that every individual should harbor the obligation of “duties.” Kant felt that for each person to be the greatest individual they could possibly be they had to try and obtain ultimate happiness while learning to survive. Kant describes various qualities as having the possibility of good as well as the possibility for evil. “Wit, the power of judgment and like talents of the mind…courage…as with gifts of fortune…power, wealth, …show more content…
Nietzsche’s first aphorism begins questioning the will to truth. He questions the very depths of truth and lies, and if one is really any better than the other. As a great philosopher Nietzsche had no qualms questioning the value of instinct versus conscience and if either of the two were the correct value to follow. He wanted every person to explore the realm of all possibilities great and small and to question everything so that the best value might come from the unknown. In Nietzsche’s third aphorism he alludes that each individual should look within themselves as human beings and pull from individual experiences and standards as a guide to being …show more content…
From aphorism 188, “Every system of morals is a sort of tyranny against nature and also against reason.” This is a very profound statement and speaks to the very essence of Nietzsche as a philosopher. Nietzsche made it widely known that his views were to allow individuality and let that be the ultimate guide to ones morals. That no two humans are alike and that sometimes we must do wrong to do right. No one lives and dies as a perfect individual and to conclude this aphorism we should all strive to reach individuality that envelope the core of our values beliefs and

Related Documents

  • Superior Essays

    In accordance with Immanuel Kant’s Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, I will argue that ethical actions should be judged by good will alone. By comparing the theories of Immanuel Kant and John Stuart Mill, I will conclude that Kant’s theories are more realistic in regards to the nature of humans. Immanuel Kant argues that one’s good intentions should be the deciding factor in judging their actions no matter the outcome. What is beneficial about this is that it allows for the expression of the intrinsic values of a person. Since every person has different virtues and opinions, they can act in any way they choose.…

    • 1510 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Superior Essays

    He believes that “A good will is not good because of what it effects or accomplishes, nor because of its fitness to attain some proposed end, it is good only through its willing.” (Kant) Kant believes that we should act in such a way that we…

    • 1487 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior 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
  • Improved Essays

    In my paper I will be discussing that Kantian Ethics can make decide to do the wrong thing sometimes because of Kant’s maxims, his view on good will and also and also will be discussing the FEI and treating humanity merely as a means, also will be discussing his views on reason vs. desire. With these reasons come objections can refute his belief by stating good points, this objection is the murderer at the door. Even though there are objection to Kantian ethics I will respond to these objections in such a way that Kant would respond to anyone with these objections. Therefore because of Kant’s maxims, his views on good will and also using his ideas on using a person merely as means and also the FEI and his views on reason vs. desire.…

    • 1381 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Chan Dr. Whitman Phil 1301 1 May 2017 Kant Paper Immanuel Kant was a man of knowledge and self-awareness. He was well known for the development of ethical formulas in his book Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals. One important formula that will be introduced is the Humanity formula. When using this formula, Kant explain why or why…

    • 1165 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In Grounding for the Metaphysics of Moral, Kant discusses the term of good will and further develops the nature of it. In the book, he gives several examples to illuminate human nature of good willing through the concept of duty, which is that duty is an action which we are force to perform out of respect for moral law. And there are three of the examples that clearly explain the terms. In the first example, the author states that a dealer shouldn’t overcharge an inexperienced purchaser in accordance with duty.…

    • 979 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    In Kant’s Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals, he begins chapter one with an argument that there is nothing that can be called good without qualification except for a goodwill. First, Kante says that gifts given to us by nature can have both a good and a bad purpose. For example, he explains that people wish for qualities such as wit and intelligence. Both can be used for good means like helping others as a teacher.…

    • 275 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Decent 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
  • Improved Essays

    In the second chapter of Groundwork For the Metaphysics of Morals, Kant aims to move from the popular moral philosophy in order to establish a metaphysics of morals. Kant 's main opponents in this chapter are the philosophers of self-love. These philosophers argue that everyone is motivated by their rational self-interest. This viewpoint is dangerous to Kant; both supposedly moral acts and immoral acts come from the same source and are therefore indistinguishable. This viewpoint is also dangerous to him as it implies that reason is entirely slave to the passions; we can only act in a certain way if we have an interest in doing so.…

    • 775 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Kant describes the good will as good without qualification and it is the only thing that is universally absolutely good. “The good will is good not through what it effects or…

    • 1649 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Kant in the dialogue with student and teacher also points to a truth that virtue has no guarantees. Here lies a possible major fault in religious logic that though one does good, good things will come or that being worthy does not necessarily mean happiness will come. Towards the end of the dialogue the topic of duty is briefly touched which offers an important subject matter that happiness and duty go hand in hand. Acting to conform to the law is our duty as people is what determines our worthiness of happiness questions the teacher The issue with duty as well is that it is an ambiguous sense of purpose, not everyone has the same sense of duty.…

    • 494 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Furthermore, Nietzsche detested how the Christian ethics impacted society, and proclaimed a prescribed set of morals (CITE). Nietzsche believed that “morals are fiction,” and would have applauded the “free spirits” who struggle to free themselves from the prejudices of others and to question their own assumptions (Cite). In particular, these “free spirits” will look beneath the “moral” worldview and examine the unconscious which drives and determines our expressed motives”…

    • 1462 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Nietzsche is a strong believer in personal freedom and the ability to gain our own perspective of the world. He also stated that a lack of absolute values enforced by religion does not constitute a total lack of values, Nietzsche believes that Nihilism is not just about the belief in the nothing but the destruction of everyone's something, whether it be intentional or not. Nietzsche was caught in a particular dilemma because it could be viewed…

    • 1071 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Kant starts right off by talking about the only thing that can be considered good without limitations is that of a good will. He describes how the things that bring forth happiness can also cause arrogance unless a good will is present (4:393). He talks about how moderation in affects and passions, as well as self-control and calm reflection are not only good for all purposes, but they even effect the inner worth of a person. Kant believes without the basic principles of good will they can become evil (4:394). He tells us how a good will is good do only its volition, meaning it itself is good.…

    • 1351 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Kant's Moral Theory Essay

    • 910 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Kant imposes the idea of the “purity of the will” which expands on the principle that one should act…

    • 910 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays

Related Topics