morality

(Name (Professor (Subject

xx May 2007

Ethical Philosophies

Immanuel Kant

Kantian ethics was put forward by an 18th century German philosopher named Immanuel Kant . This ethical philosophy presents a criterion of moral obligation that is a break away from the traditional moral philosophies of his time (The Categorical Imperative . Traditional moral philosophies before him had their eyes focused on good character traits and the consequence of actions however , Kant worked on formulating one supreme principle of morality . This supreme principle he called the categorical imperative (The Categorical Imperative p

Kant 's theory of morality can be found in his three books : The Foundations of the Metaphysics of Morals (1785 , The Critique of Practical Reason (1788 , and The Metaphysics of Morals (1798 (The Categorical Imperative ' Of these three , his first work provides the clearest account of his concept of the categorical imperative (The Categorical Imperative

The Categorical Imperative

Kant 's moral principle , which he claims as the ultimate guide to all human actions , is one that must be objective , rational and freely chosen (The Categorical Imperative . A central concept in Kant 's moral philosophy is the notion of obligation , and the disregard of subjective factors such as pleasure (The Categorical Imperative

Kant 's focus on obligation is a clear indication that he belonged to the deontological tradition of philosophy , which holds that conformity to duty determines normative conduct , and not duty (The Categorical Imperative ) or practical bearing ( Deontology . Thus it is apparent that Kant 's moral philosophy is in direct contrast with other popular ethical theories , such as utilitarianism or Pragmatism ( Deontology

Kant 's categorical imperative is based on notions of obligation necessity and reason (The Categorical Imperative . For the German philosopher , morality consists in the determination of the proper actions of man (The Categorical Imperative . This propriety or necessity for man 's actions can only be justified or produced by rational considerations (The Categorical Imperative . This reasoning led Kant to conclude that subjective considerations , including emotions , have no place in moral matters (The Categorical Imperative

The categorical imperative is in the form of an absolute rule of conduct . Kant stated this formula in this wise

So act , that the rule on which thou actest would admit of being adopted as a law by all rational beings (Kant

Kant 's formulation of the moral rule is an expression of his belief that human will is supreme . While human will is concededly subject to internal or external influence , reason would point man in the proper direction

Kant imposes three requisite elements before the standard of moral obligation is met (The Categorical Imperative . The first one involves the rule that there must be a single principle of obligation that would serve as the rational consideration for the human will (The Categorical Imperative . Second , this principle of obligation needs to be in the form of a command that s a definite course of action (The Categorical Imperative . Finally , the standard should not be based on consequences of the act , otherwise one would be relying on...