Kant Statement Essay

Question 1

Introduction:

Answer 1

+ Kantianism is a deontological theory, related by the 18th century German philosopher Immanuel Kant
+ refer to question specifically
+ Agree/disagree with the criticism

Question 2

Paragraph 1 topic

Answer 2

Discussion of consequences

Question 3

Paragraph 1 points:

Answer 3

+ deontology states that the moral worth of an act is intrinsic rather than extrinsic
+ this may be dubbed cold, as most people agree that consequences matter
+ however, consequences are too unpredictable
+ accidental saviour example
+ shows the flimsiness of consequences, may make moral outcomes from immoral motives

Question 4

Paragraph 2 topic

Answer 4

The good will

Question 5

Paragraph 2 points:

Answer 5

+ good will: the motive to act in a way because you know it is morally correct
+ enquiring murderer example
+ this could certainly be called callous
+ Kant argued that to act out of love or kindness was not morally praiseworthy, as could have same consequences
+ raises issue of competing duties - Kant says it is intuiting to tell the truth, but almost all would lie.
+ furthermore, he takes consequences into account

Question 6

Your stance on paragraph 2?

Answer 6

I find that Kant’s insistence on the good will could certainly be dubbed cold, but it is not out of touch with the real world - as it ensures everyone can know if they are moral or not. However, whilst trying to avoid taking consequences into account, Kant accidentally predicts the effects of some of his actions - reduced reliability.

Question 7

Paragraph 3 topic

Answer 7

Rationalism and the sovereignty of reason

Question 8

Paragraph 3 points:

Answer 8

+ Kant was a rationalist and believed in a priori truths
+ therefore, he believed that he could use his reason to determine the one morally correct course of action - sovereignty of reason
+ called this action the categorical imperative
+ categorical vs hypothetical imperatives

Question 9

Paragraph 4 topic

Answer 9

Introduce categorical imperative and contradiction in conception

Question 10

Paragraph 4 points:

Answer 10

+ in order to understand c imperative, must make a maxim - principle of an action
+ do not steal
+ must be universal - applicable to all people at all times
+ must not commit contradiction in conception; explain
+ my maxim does not commit it, but is cold to those who have nothing, but consequences must be ignored

Question 11

Paragraph 5 topic

Answer 11

Discussion of contradiction in conception

Question 12

Paragraph 5 points:

Answer 12

• humans are emotional and unpredictable, will not all abide to the law
  + misses the point of kantianism, it is the will that matters, he knew not everyone would follow it
  + would be impossible to create a universally followed theory

Question 13

Your stance on paragraph 5?

Answer 13

I find the criticism to be irrelevant to a further extent, as it focuses on the menial details of the theory without taking the wider aims of it into account.

Question 14

Paragraph 6 topic

Answer 14

Contradiction in conception + end in itself formulation

Question 15

Paragraph 6 points:

Answer 15

+ explain contradiction in the will
+ my maxim also survives this, as would prefer not to be stolen from
+ must survive end in itself formulation - explain
+ ensures people have divinity and rationality
+ can be used if they are aware of and agree to it
+ my maxim survives this, as no one is stolen from and their rational mindset is not changed
+ my maxim is categorically imperative

Question 16

Paragraph 6 quote:

Answer 16

“Act that you use humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other, always at the same time as an end, never merely as a means.”

Question 17

Paragraph 7 topic

Answer 17

Discussion of contradiction in the will

Question 18

Paragraph 7 points:

Answer 18

The contradiction in the will takes consequences into account, as it tries to predict the effect of our decisions at a later time.

Question 19

What is your stance on paragraph 7?

Answer 19

Reduces the reliability of kantianism

• he has subconsciously gone against deontology, weak foundations
• if he, the creator of the therory, goes against it - surely everyone else will too

Question 20

Paragraph 8 topic

Answer 20

Discussion of the good will

Question 21

Paragraph 8 points:

Answer 21

+ using good will over emotions may prove to be impossible
+ too deeply instilled with value of kindness
+ decision-making process of deciding morality is too time-consuming in some situations
+ misses point of kantianism, as it doesn’t matter how she’d it is, as long as theory is valid

Question 22

Your stance on paragraph 8?

Answer 22

It may be cold and callous to ignore emotions, but that is necessary to become moral

Question 23

Conclusion:

Answer 23

+ unreasonable criticism
+ criticism aims to appease people, instead of ensure morality
+ theory would be taken advantage of