Kant’s deontological moral theory states that actions that are morally right from the motive must derive from duty rather than desires (Kemerling). The ultimate principle of morality must be a moral law that guides us in the right direction in any circumstances (Kemerling). According to Kant, although everything naturally occurs in accordance to law, the element of subjectiveness in humans may contradict the natural law, this results in obligation which results in an imperative reaction (Kemerling). There are two types of imperatives. Firstly, is hypothetical imperative which demands a particular action to be taken in order to achieve a particular result, where we are sure of the result when it comes to ethical decisions(Kemerling). Second is a categorical imperative which demands an action for its sake alone, which results in many unfamiliar problems (Kemerling). Kant introduced an alternative formulae for the categorical imperative which is the “formula of the end in itself” and the “formula of autonomy” (Kemerling). The formula of the end in itself simply meant that humanity is always treated as an end and not as a mean(Kemerling). The formula of autonomy, on the other hand, means the decision to act according to a maxim is actually regarded as an universal law…
Euthanasia and suicide have a long history of producing polarized opinions. Although neither explicitly used the word euthanasia, eighteenth-century philosophers David Hume and Immanuel Kant's opposed views on the morality of suicide pertain greatly to the modern debate. It is safe to say, when considering the arguments proposed by either philosopher, that David Hume would be greatly in favour whereas Kant would be vehemently opposed. Both philosophers use the same criteria to frame their argument; both men agree that suicide can only be considered morally wrong if it constitutes a transgression of our duty either to society or ourselves (both philosophers also mention our duty to God, but these theological discussions do not pertain to the modern debate on euthanasia). Hume, in his essay On Suicide, concludes that suicidal-acts do not transgress either of these duties. Kant, contrarily, concludes in both Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, as well as his Metaphysics of Morals, that suicidal-acts transgress both.…
For Immanuel Kant, guilt is considered a necessary condition for punishment and judicial punishment can never be used merely as a means to promote some other good for the criminal himself or civil society. He argues that, an offender must first be found to be deserving of punishment before any consideration is given to the utility of punishment for himself or his fellow citizens. In this view, utilitarian concerns can never justify the punishment of an innocent person while guilt itself demands punishment even where punishment is entirely devoid of social utility. Therefore, again we observe that the best action is the one that maximizes utility and can be applied in various ways, but most commonly relates to the maintenance of healthy emotional…
Immanuel Kant’s deontological theory of ethics is the normative ethical position that evaluates the morality of actions. Unlike the empiricist supporters of Utilitarianism, Kant was an unquestionable supporter of rationalism; the idea that pure reason can tell us how the world is, independent of experience. This idea is referred to as an a priori approach, because it makes the assumption that reasoning or knowledge is denoted from theoretical deduction rather than from observation or experience.…
I am going to apply the theory of Kant's Deontology to the case regarding assisted suicide for psychological suffering.…
Kant’s moral philosophy is deontological; it rests on the notion of duty or obligation from the Greek word ‘Deon’. The argument is that we should conduct our affairs out of strict duty to the moral law. Kant wrote three major works on moral philosophy: Fundamental principles of the metaphysics of moral, Critique of practical reason and the metaphysics of morals.…
“With every cell of my being, and with every fiber of my memory, I oppose the death penalty in all forms.... I do not believe any civilized society should be at the service of death. I don’t think it’s human to become an Angel of Death.” Elie Wiesel, Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize winner in 1986…
Kant then goes on to propose that the actions done from duty should be morally based upon a maxim, i.e. the rule which determines the duty or the actions that we must carry out; and the maxim must form the Law of morality. To form the Law of morality, the maxim must satisfy two properties.…
Hi Victoria, understand your claim of Pre-crime being immoral. First of all, I agree with you on the fact that Kant would be against Pre-crime. It goes against his formula for the universal law; if you do it, then it you shouldn’t have a problem with someone returning the favor. Chief Anderton, is a prime example since Pre-crime was used against him after Anderton had been all for it. However, he later figured out that Pre-crime was immoral because of the fact that it was used against him.…
In Kant’s argument there is the establishment of premises that has a basis on the conclusion that he makes about the passage made towards republicanism. Kant incorporates two premises that has relations to the idea of the varying amounts of civil liberty that have an effect on the potential capabilities one has. The first premise that Kant makes has the inclusion of “the greater degree of civil freedom”, which focus on the provision that is viewed as a favorable aspect of increased spiritual freedom. Spiritual freedom, or the right to belief in what you want adds to the views that one may have when taking into consideration a political viewpoint in nature. The second premise that Kant makes is his argument that “a lesser degree of civil freedom…
Kant proposes an ethical system in which an individual forms maxim, subjective principles of action, from which the principle of the categorical imperative is derived. This categorical imperative is the supreme moral law, and according to Kant, it is absolute. For example, a maxim like “I must not lie” might be extrapolated into the imperative “Do not lie” according to Kant’s formulation. However, the concept of absolute moral law faces a problem in a case in which multiple moral laws run counter to each other.…
Aristotle, Aquinas, Plato, and Kant all have different definitions of what justice is. Aristotle believes that justice is something that is absolute but it also depends on the motives. He also believed that there are different kinds of justice. These different kinds of justice include punishment and exchange. Aristotle thought that the punishment should fit the crime. He also thought that exchange should be equal for services. Aquinas believes that justice is based off of what is the best for the common good. He also thought that justice is the difference between good and bad. This difference leads to the idea of justice being the most basic virtue. Plato believes that justice is balance. Justice, according to Plato, is avoiding chaos and keeping harmony in ones conscience. Kant believes that justice is based on our maxims. When being just, Kant believes that it is our duty to be truthful, preserve life, and develop or acknowledge our talents. Our society is not necessarily the most just society. There are many issues of inequality through out our communities and nationally.…
In a book written by Immanuel Kant he argues against suicide. Kant reveals that one who would contemplate suicide should consider is it consistent with the idea of humanity as an end. According to Kant’s theory it is the act and it does not consider the outcome or the consequence of that act. Kant argues, “That choosing to commit suicide entails considering oneself as a means to an end”. (Kant 1991, pg.98) He rejected a person must not be used as a means but in all actions always be considered as an end in himself. One could come to the conclusion that it is unethical to commit this act to satisfy…
The first formulation of Kant’s categorical imperative states that one should only act on reasons we would be willing to have anyone in a similar situation act on. This formulation requires universalizability and reversibility. On the other hand, the second formulation states that one should never use people only as a means to your ends. We must always treat others as they freely and rationally consent to be treated. Under this formulation it is also stated that we must help others pursue their freely and rationally chosen ends.…
Immanuel Kant created a handful of formulations regarding his system of determining morality, the Categorical Imperative. James and Stuart Rachels in The Elements of Moral Philosophy, illuminate Kant's first and second Categorical Imperatives. While Kant claims the formulations are equivalent, they offer differing guidelines on how the Categorical Imperative is operated. Although the formulations share the same basis, the difference regarding how the formulations are adhered, is a large distinction difficult to ignore, and renders the two versions as separate subjects.…