Kant s Philosophy On Ethics - 1213 Words

Kant lived in an era where utilitarianism was becoming a widespread philosophical ideal, in which the group was valued greater than the individual. However, Kant argued that every individual has inherent value stating, â€Å"a human being †¦ exists as an end in itself, not merely as a means for the discretionary use for this or that will, but must in all its actions†¦ always be considered at the same time as an end† (Groundwork 4:428). This claim that every individual possesses inherent value presupposes intrinsic respect for every human being. Kant argued in The Metaphysics of Morals that one not only intrinsically warrants respect, but can demand from others this respect. â€Å"Every human being has a legitimate claim to respect from his fellow†¦show more content†¦The response to this question proposed by Thomas Hill will be the focus of the first section of this paper. In his paper, Hill firstly contrast two types of respect: Respecting one for their merit and respecting one for holding a social position. The former consists of respect due to one’s ability to perform within a social position. For example, if a politician is particularly good at his job, one might say â€Å"I respect him as a politician, however I do not respect him as a person.† The latter type of respect consists of respect due to one merely holding a social position. The author provides this example â€Å"‘She has not been a particularly good mother, but she is my mother, after all, and I must respect her as such’† (Hill 89). Here, the author makes the point merely holding the social position of a mother is enough to warrant respect. This is due to the position holder possessing the rights, responsibilities, and privileges intrinsic to that position. Therefore, merely holding a position warrants respect from other human beings, regardless of the merits one happens to possess in that position. Kantians would argue that an immoral or even amoral human being would not warrant theShow MoreRelatedKant And Kant s Philosophy On Ethics970 Words   |  4 PagesEthics, What is it? many a man have asked the same question. A dictionary describes ethics as-moral principles that govern a person s or group s behavior. Is there a universal ethical behavior ? Are all countries ethical ? Theses very same questions many philosophers have tried to figure through time from Socrates to Immanuel kant (and to this very day for the matter!). While comparing two great eathist Plato and Immanuel Kant I, the writer argue that Kant s ideological views on ethics were farRead MoreKant s Philosophy : Kantian Ethics1290 Words   |  6 PagesProfessor Fassbender Philosophy 201N April 26, 2015 Kantian Ethics Society, as we know it, is only possible through humans acting in accordance with a universal moral code. Because we as humans are rational beings and have free choice, we can make our own decisions, can hold ourselves to a standard that we ourselves set, and can act in accordance with our standards, as well as set standards for our own society. However, these standards must be held, otherwise they hold no meaning. Kant uses a black andRead MoreKant s Philosophy Of Ethics And Moral Reasoning1432 Words   |  6 Pageshis book, â€Å"Critique of Practical Reason,† Immanuel Kant outlines his philosophy of ethics and moral reasoning. He introduces the reader to the Fundamental Law of Pure Practical Reason in chapter one of the Analytic. The Universal Law is a categorical imperative, which states: â€Å"So act that the maxim of your will could always hold at the same time as a principle in a giving of universal law† (Kant, 1993, p. 30). Like other nonconsequentialists, Kant is much more concerned with the motive behind an actionRead MoreEssay about Kant ´s Philosophy of Ethics1823 Words   |  8 PagesIn the Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, Immanuel Kant proposes his philosophy of ethics. In order to accurately approach this topic and present fluent deduction he begins by defining philosophy into three fields. There is â€Å"Physics† of which studies the physical world, there is â€Å"Ethics† of which is the study of morality and finally there is logic of which serves to study logical principles. Kant then divides the studying into two parts as well, separating it as either â€Å"empirical† (servingRead MoreDifferences Between Plato s And Kant1184 Words   |  5 Pagesdeveloping personal ethics, but each thinker approaches this universal question using different principles. Plato uses Socrates’ dialogue to assess how one acquires wisdom through the acknowledgement of inherent ignorance. Kant evaluates the cause s of people remaining in willful ignorance and the methods by which they can lift themselves out of such a state into enlightenment. Before comparing these two philosophers, one must recognize that both have displayed differences in ethics, as some call oneRead MoreThe Role Of Happiness On Kant s And Mill s Ethics1712 Words   |  7 PagesThe Role of Happiness in Kant s and Mill s Ethics Corey Guitard (0241740) Introduction to Ethics November 18th, 2015 Philosophy 2701 Dr. Rupen Majithia Words: Immanuel Kant refers to happiness as contentment (Kant, ) whereas John Stuart Mill refers to it as the pursuit of pleasure and the absence of pain (Mill, p.7). Kant does not base his ethics on happiness. Instead, he argues that morality is based on our duty as a human (Kant, ). To do what is right for Kant is to do what is instinctuallyRead MoreKantian Ethics And The Categorical Imperative Essay1581 Words   |  7 PagesAnalysis of Kantian Ethics and critiques In Elements of Pure Practical Reason Book, I, Immanuel Kant, a prominent late Enlightenment Era German philosopher discusses his most famous ethical theory, the â€Å"Categorical Imperative.† The â€Å"Categorical Imperative† is a proposed universal law in stating all humans are forbidden from certain actions regardless of consequences. Although this is the general definition of this ethical theory, the Categorical Imperative† exists in two above formulations, A strictRead MoreThe Between Utilitarianism And Deontology1345 Words   |  6 Pageswhat is morally just? Immanuel Kant, the founder of Deontology, along with Jeremy Bentham and James Mills, the founders of Utilitarianism, all attempted to answer this question. Bentham and Mills’ Utilitarianism stresses maximizing pleasure and happiness in the world over pain and unhappiness. In contrast, Kant’s Deontology focuses on honoring duties and obligations. A moral action must be â€Å"considered right and good by most people† (Merriam-Webster). The way Kant proposes that one achieves happinessRead MoreThe Ethical Concepts Of Kantian Ethics Essay1043 Words   |  5 PagesConsequences Introduction The philosophy of Kant has become a turning point in the development of the Western thinking and worldview. His innovative and progressive ideas have strongly contributed to the formation of a new paradigm of the universe and role of humans in it. A great role in Kant’s studies belongs to the analysis of ethics, morality and law as the main regulators of the human behavior in the society Kant is known as the founder of the deontological ethics (Kantianism), which presentsRead MoreLying, By Jeremy Bentham1613 Words   |  7 Pagesthe more you do it the more comfortable one may become. Lying becomes a habit to many people, a habit they have a hard time breaking. Lying can simply be defined in one word, deception. Jeremy Bentham who is a British philosopher in the 1700’s and early 1800’s believed in the principle of utility otherwise known as utilitarianism. Jeremy Bentham thinks it’s permissible to tell a small lie because in the long run Bentham is looking for the ultimate amount of happiness. Bentham believes in the greatest