KANT'S+MORAL+THEORY

=KANT'S MORAL THEORY=

Basic Principles of the Theory -
Kant's Moral Theory is rooted in a person's motives to either do good or bad to another human. In this theory, Kant believes that we are responsible for our motives, therefore making the decision to do good or bad towards one another. This theory does not account for the consequences of one's actions but rather their decision and reason for doing something. This means looking at one's intentions and if one's actions were intended to do "what's right." Kant believed that there was a right and a wrong thing to do and that it doesn't matter if we agree on this or not. Kant referred to this as having "good will" (MacKinnon, 2007). This leads us to look at the worth of one's motives and attempt to gauge the morality behind the action. Kant categorized personal motives to measure if in fact, people based their decisions on doing the "right thing". It also measures, if someone took action on a decision because they felt morally obligated. If it it turns out that someone did the "right thing" because they felt obligated, this does not mean you did it for the right reasons. He measures this by having the person with the motive ask himself if this would be something he himself could accept everyone else doing. If so, then it is right, if it is not something he can accept universally, it's wrong. Another measure is being aware of one's actions. A person should be basing their motives from the value and worth of the other person. In other words, we need to do what 's right by taking into account the worth of people and being upfront and honest with them in order to give them the repsect they deserve. It is only after both people in the experience know what's going on and why, that motives and decisions are made in order to do the right thing.

Specifics of the Ethical Approach -
Kant’s moral theory asks what gives an act moral worth? He argued that given an action moral worth is not the outcome that is achieved by the action, but the motive that is behind the action. According to Kant, because I intended and tried to do what I thought was right, I ought not to be blamed for things turned badly. The idea is that we generally should not receive recognition for things outside of our control. Kant believed the consequences associated with our actions are outside our control but our motives are not. We are held morally accountable for our motives to do good or bad. That is, we can will to act accordingly to one law rather than another. The morality of an action, therefore, must be assessed in terms of the motivation behind it.

The belief that people should not be used but be regarded as having the highest intrinsic value is central to Kant’s ethics, as is the importance of a motive to do what is right. According to Kant an act has specific moral worth only if it is done with the right intention or motive. The only morally good thing, without qualification, in the whole universe is a good will. Things such as wit, intelligence, and control of emotions can be used for the wrong reasons. Having the right intention to do what is right just because it is right is to act out of duty, out of concern and respect for the moral law.

What is the duty that is to motivate our actions and to give them moral value? To understand Kant’s reasoning we examine what he refers to as hypothetical imperative and categorical imperative. Imperatives are statements that tell us to do thing, commands. Wishing to achieve something, reason can provide a hypothetical imperative, or rule of action for achieving that end. A hypothetical imperative says that “If I want 'A,' then I ought to do ‘B.' But Kant has shown that the acceptable conception of the moral law cannot be merely hypothetical. Morality requires an unconditional statement of one's duty. Kant believes that reason dictates a categorical imperative for moral action. If I want to achieve some end, //then// do X." It simply states, do X.

The categorical imperative is Kant's most basic principle of duty."Act only according to that maxim by which you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law." In other words whatever I consider doing it must be something that I can accept that all do. To will something as universally it is similar to willing it as law by nature. Categorical imperative however, has three formulations including the one stated previously. The first formulation: "Act as if the maxim of your action were to secure through your will a universal law of nature." Second formulation: "Act so that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or that of another, always as an end and never as a means only." Kant offers examples to demonstrate the use of these formulations in actual situations following the categories of duties that were used at his time. These breakdown into four kinds of duties: Duties Toward Oneself (Perfect: Self-Preservation, Imperfect: Self-Cultivation) and Duties Toward Others (Perfect: Strict Obligation, Imperfect: Beneficence). Following these kinds of duties, Kant's examples include suicide, promise-breaking, squandering talents, and helping others.

Historical Background -
Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) was a German philosophy professor at the University of Konigsberg, Russia. He is considered by many to be the one of the greatest modern philosophers. His writings on philosophy, science, geography, beauty, war, and peace are well-renowned. His main published works include //Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysics of Morals// (1785), //Critique of Practical Reason// (1788), //Critique of Pure Reason// (1781), and //Critique of Judgment// (1790). Kant was a devout believer in the ideas put forth in the Enlightenment, also known as the Age of Reason. The Enlightenment movement, during the latter part of the 18th century, sought to explore the nature of the world and man by using reason, casting off previous ideas built on superstition and religion. These beliefs built on reason and freedom created a turning point in the history of philosophy propelling scientific, political, and social advances (http://www.historywiz.com/enlightenment.htm). It questioned the authority of the church and state, opening new avenues of thought. Kant summed up the mantra of the Enlightenment movement as "Aude Sapere" (Dare to Think) (http://www.historywiz.com/enlightenment.htm).

Kant strived to answer two main questions of philosophy: "What can I know?" and "What ought I do?". In his own words, by answering the first question, he believed he was creating a Copernican revolution. He asserted "that we should no longer think of the human knower as revolving around objects known" (Mackinnon, 2007). Instead, it is our human perception and understanding that forms our world and our experience of it. Interestingly, he was not a man of adventure; he focused primarily on logic, mathematics, and science, with little interest in music and the arts (http://great-philosophers.suite101.com/article.cfm/immanuel_kant_biography). He died at the age of 80, having never traveled further than 40 miles from his home.

Two Examples-
An example of Kant's Moral Theory can be illustrated through the following scenario. Say you are crossing the street when you witness a car accident. You run to an injured person and begin trying to help them. You move them from the car in an attempt to save them from a potential fire or explosion. Let's say that by moving them, you aggravate internal injuries they have sustained which actually contributes to their death. Kant would say that because you moved them with the motive of doing good, regardless of the eventual outcome, you were acting morally.

Another example of Kant's Moral Theory can also be illustrated by the following scenario. Say an individual has information related to an unsolved crime, for example, a murder. In this situation, they come forward and share said information with law enforcement, not because of any potential gain such as a reward or notoriety, but because they believe that it is right thing to do is to. They also must believe that disclosing information about a murder is something that all others who posess such information should do, that it is, in effect, a universal right.


 * References:**

Asiado, Tel. (April 22, 2008). Immanuel Kant Biography: Influential German Thinker, Philosopher, Teacher. Retrieved March 7, 2009 from http://great-philosophers.suite101.com/article.cfm/immanuel_kant_biography.

Mackinnon, B. (2007). //Ethics theory and contemporary issues//. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth. The Enlightenment. Retrieved on March 7, 2009 from http://www.historywiz.com/enlightenment.htm. Cavalier, R.J., Gouinlock, J. & Sterba J.P.(1989)Ethics in the History of Western Philosophy. New York: Macmillan. Online Guide to Moral Philosophy. Retrieved on March 8, 2009 from http://caae.phil.cmu.edu/cavalier/80130/part1/sect4/Kant.html