Kant s The Metaphysic Of Morals - 845 Words

A very influential philosopher Immanuel Kant says, â€Å"To be kind where one can is duty† (Pure Practical Reason in the Moral Law, 127). Kant makes the argument that without good intentions, even if the action itself is morally good, the action has no intrinsic worth. Although he makes a very strong argument, this isn’t accepted by everyone. In the excerpt Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals, Kant presents a profound argument that how right an action is, is determined by intention of the principle that is being acted on. He believes that the outcome of an action is irrelevant because it is out of our control, it doesn’t matter if what we genuinely intended is accomplished. But, we can control the will behind the action. He explains, â€Å"The good will is not good because of what it effects or accomplishes or because of its adequacy to achieve some proposed end; it is good only because of its willing, i.e. it is good of itself† (124). Kant uses an ex ample of two shopkeepers that treat their customers in the same way, but are in fact motivated very differently. The first shopkeeper gives the correct change to the customer, but for selfish purposes. He is scared of getting caught for trying to cheat an inexperienced customer like a child. Plus, obtaining a good reputation of being an honest shopkeeper improves his business. The second shopkeeper gives honest change to the customer simply because he is an honest man, and it is morally right. Even though both shopkeepers did theShow MoreRelatedKant s Philosophy Of The Metaphysics Of Morals Essay1655 Words   |  7 PagesKant’s Philosophy of How To Act In the second section of Kant’s Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, Kant argues what is good will. He gives the answer to this question: â€Å"good will is the one which follows the categorical imperative to act only according to that maxim which you can at the same time will that it becomes a universal law† (4:421). Kant means good will is to follow the categorical imperative, which only has one principle of acting following the maxim in the universal law. He talksRead MoreKant s Metaphysics Of Morals2483 Words   |  10 PagesAtanassova Perspectives April 3, 2016 Relativism in Kant’s Absolutism Immanuel Kant’s metaphysics of morals offer a well thought out and complex set of formulations that give rational beings the opportunity to be autonomous from outside factors and make moral decisions. In theory, Kant’s metaphysics of morals and a careful use of the categorical imperative are needed to create what Kant describes as the â€Å"kingdom of ends†. Kant oversimplifies certain questions certain ideas, presuming the answers are â€Å"rational†Read MoreImmanuel Kant s Metaphysics Of Morals897 Words   |  4 PagesGroundwork of Metaphysics of Morals, Kant argues that one’s duty requires an individual to act against one’s inclinations, wants and desires, in order to achieve a higher moral worth. For Kant, the concept of duty is something that you ought to do despite not wanting to, assuming the duty is possible. A duty contains the concept of good will, or acting on one’s duty, against one’s inclinations, which is how mor al worth is achieved. In order for an individual to achieve a higher moral worth, he mustRead MoreKant s Grounding For The Metaphysics Of Morals1072 Words   |  5 PagesIn Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals, Immanuel Kant seeks to develop a clear understanding of moral principles. Qualities of character and fortune can be exercised for either good or bad purposes, and only the good will is naturally and inherently good. Humans are at once rational and natural beings; our reason and natural characteristics are distinct from each other. Kant suggests that we must choose either to follow our rational or natural capacities. Although man’s highest purpose may seemRead MoreKant s Argument Of The Metaphysics Of Morals1363 Words   |  6 Pages1A Immanuel Kant, in â€Å"Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals†, gives three propositions. I’m going to explain the second proposition using the help from the â€Å"Friend of Mankind† example he gives. The example state’s â€Å" this person has been a friend to mankind, but his mind has become clouded by a sorrow of his own that has extinguished all feeling for how others are faring. He still has the power to benefit others in distress, but their need leaves him untouched because he is too preoccupied withRead MoreKant s Principles Of The Metaphysics Of Morals1719 Words   |  7 PagesKant’s Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysics of Morals Immanuel Kant offered a reorientation on how the established questions of metaphysics can be resolved. He claimed that man’s mind constructs human experience and that reality must agree with the mind’s notions, in contradiction of the view that the mind is a reflection of reality. His interpretation was that the mind is capable of actively creating experiences instead of passively being shaped by reality. Kant further believed that man possessesRead MoreKant s Groundwork Of The Metaphysic Of Morals860 Words   |  4 PagesKant’s Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals Immanuel Kant was one of the most important European philosophers and lived from 1724 to 1804. In his time he created Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Metaphysic of Morals. Kant starts by stating that â€Å"By identifying a good will as the only unconditional good, he denies that the principles of good willing can be fixed by reference to an objective good or telos at which they aim.† This ties into Kants next part of his work because it describes two shopkeepersRead MoreImmanuel Kant s Metaphysics Of Morals2091 Words   |  9 PagesImmanuel Kant’s Metaphysics of Morals The Greeks classified their philosophy into three fields, namely: †¢ Physics †¢ Ethics †¢ Logic All these three fields tend to interrelate in an attempt to describe nature and the life we live in. Physics is also known as the ‘doctrine of nature’ since it attempts to describe almost all the happenings of life (Wood W. Allen). Physics explains phenomenon such as why does the sun come out during the day, why do we see different colors and so on. It is an attempt toRead MoreKant s Philosophy On The Metaphysics Of Morals, Categorical Imperative1592 Words   |  7 PagesKant’s work on the metaphysics of morals, categorical imperative is defined as an absolute command that must be obeyed in all circumstances. He stated it is a universal moral obligation because it is justified as an end in itself. In another word, if something is morally good it has the ability to will everyone to act in the same way regardless of their background, understanding or circumstances. For example, rational beings do not kill innocent children. This is the kind of moral thinking th at everyRead MoreThird Breaking Down His Most Important Philosophies1097 Words   |  5 PagesGroundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals 2. Metaphysical Foundations of Natural Science 3. Critique of Practical Reason 4. Critique of the Power of Judgment 5. Critique of Pure Reason a. Knowledge b. Metaphysics Topic: Critique of Pure Reason In order to understand Kant’s position, we must first understand the philosophical environment that influenced his thinking. There are two major historical movements in the early modern period of philosophy that had a very large impact on Kant: Empiricism and