EXPOSITORY ESSAY | PHILOSOPHY
EXPOSITORY ESSAY | PHILOSOPHY
CS
IMMANUEL KANT’S METAPHYSICS OF MORALS By Carmela Sevilla
Kant
believes
that
reason
distinguishes
humans from other species and by having it, we are occupied by morality. Humans, due to their rationality, are the only creatures that are moral and can be held morally responsible for their behavior. This is because the very source of morality is reason. It is an element of our thought process. It is based on our awareness of rules. The rules that Kant is referring to in the context of morality are those that are deemed necessary and universal, and applies to everyone’s behavior. For Kant, reason imposes moral obligation. Those who have the capacity to rationalize are conscious of how they ought to behave, or do. Hence, morality entails duty since the notion of ought is greatly imposed by practical reason which all human beings possess. Practical reason occurs in the moral dimension only. Morality as a Consequences
Matter
of
Motives,
Not
First, it is important to recognize that morality is a function of reason. And by this, it follows that good will is a component of rationality, and those who are able to rationalize know what they ought to do and enables them to be on par with their moral obligations. However, ought only implies can, it does not guarantee that one is always able to do as he ought to, given that circumstances may enable or prevent one from fulfilling his moral duty. This is why one should not be judged on the consequences of his actions, rather on his reasons and intent, or simply his will. One’s motive behind his intended action when circumstances allow it is the only criterion for seeing the goodness of his behavior. This explains why morality is entirely anchored on reason and good will, and never on the consequences of actions. A good will is an intent
that is morally upright. It is the driving force of doing something strictly for the purpose of fulfilling one’s moral duty. Kant claims that the only good thing in itself is a good will because it is the only ever unconditionally good thing. What makes it so is simply due to good will having goodness in its very essence. A good will is good not by its suitability to achieve its intended outcome, but purely by virtue of the volition. A maxim is a subjective intention that serve as the reason or rule by which an act is done or not done. The morality of a maxim does not rest on attaining the end or intended effect of an action. A moral maxim is not attached to any certain condition, nor does it serve self-interest and inclinations, it overcomes them. Therefore, what makes a maxim moral is the implication of absolute necessity, to act solely for the conception and deliverance of moral duty and law, without any ties to personal profit and proposition. The Intrinsic Human Worth Kant believes that all rational beings have intrinsic worth. We all have a special moral dignity and the capability to take charge of our own behavior in accordance with principles. Our intrinsic worth is not based on the effectiveness of our reason, or whether we even reason at all. Rather, the basis of our intrinsic worth is our ability to reason, because we can. The difference between the enlightenment conception of moral dignity and today’s broader understanding of human worth is that the enlightenment conception believes that one is not a means to be used arbitrarily. He exists for himself. On the other hand, today’s understanding of human worth is conditional. It no longer recognizes the capability to rationalize as a mediator for delivering one’s moral duty as his intrinsic worth when he strays from it and is no longer an asset or no longer hold the potentiality to be lawful in society.
CS
IMMANUEL KANT’S METAPHYSICS OF MORALS By Carmela Sevilla
Kant
believes
that
reason
distinguishes
humans from other species and by having it, we are occupied by morality. Humans, due to their rationality, are the only creatures that are moral and can be held morally responsible for their behavior. This is because the very source of morality is reason. It is an element of our thought process. It is based on our awareness of rules. The rules that Kant is referring to in the context of morality are those that are deemed necessary and universal, and applies to everyone’s behavior. For Kant, reason imposes moral obligation. Those who have the capacity to rationalize are conscious of how they ought to behave, or do. Hence, morality entails duty since the notion of ought is greatly imposed by practical reason which all human beings possess. Practical reason occurs in the moral dimension only. Morality as a Consequences
Matter
of
Motives,
Not
First, it is important to recognize that morality is a function of reason. And by this, it follows that good will is a component of rationality, and those who are able to rationalize know what they ought to do and enables them to be on par with their moral obligations. However, ought only implies can, it does not guarantee that one is always able to do as he ought to, given that circumstances may enable or prevent one from fulfilling his moral duty. This is why one should not be judged on the consequences of his actions, rather on his reasons and intent, or simply his will. One’s motive behind his intended action when circumstances allow it is the only criterion for seeing the goodness of his behavior. This explains why morality is entirely anchored on reason and good will, and never on the consequences of actions. A good will is an intent
that is morally upright. It is the driving force of doing something strictly for the purpose of fulfilling one’s moral duty. Kant claims that the only good thing in itself is a good will because it is the only ever unconditionally good thing. What makes it so is simply due to good will having goodness in its very essence. A good will is good not by its suitability to achieve its intended outcome, but purely by virtue of the volition. A maxim is a subjective intention that serve as the reason or rule by which an act is done or not done. The morality of a maxim does not rest on attaining the end or intended effect of an action. A moral maxim is not attached to any certain condition, nor does it serve self-interest and inclinations, it overcomes them. Therefore, what makes a maxim moral is the implication of absolute necessity, to act solely for the conception and deliverance of moral duty and law, without any ties to personal profit and proposition. The Intrinsic Human Worth Kant believes that all rational beings have intrinsic worth. We all have a special moral dignity and the capability to take charge of our own behavior in accordance with principles. Our intrinsic worth is not based on the effectiveness of our reason, or whether we even reason at all. Rather, the basis of our intrinsic worth is our ability to reason, because we can. The difference between the enlightenment conception of moral dignity and today’s broader understanding of human worth is that the enlightenment conception believes that one is not a means to be used arbitrarily. He exists for himself. On the other hand, today’s understanding of human worth is conditional. It no longer recognizes the capability to rationalize as a mediator for delivering one’s moral duty as his intrinsic worth when he strays from it and is no longer an asset or no longer hold the potentiality to be lawful in society.
