...Universal Law, Theory of Immanuel Kant Kantianism is one of the theories of ethics. The creator of this theory is Immanuel Kant. His central concept was categorical imperative. Universal law of this concept says that you should only act on maxims that you can will to become universal laws. I don’t think that this is a good test for determining what action is morally allowable. This test can be used for many situations, but it doesn’t always work. Each person is very individual, so we can’t say exactly what universal law said. The idea of Kantianism is all about acting on the basis of rules that everyone accepts, but not on the emotions or personal goals. Kant uses Universal law to make the test of those rules. To act only on maxims that you can will to become a universal law is the Universal Law Test. To make the test we have to know the maxim, which is always expressed as a general rule or policy. Maxim is your reason for choosing to act in a given way. Kant’s idea of that test is that if a maxim passes the Universal Law, then this action which passes the test is morally good. For example, if you will say “As a general rule, it is okay to buy sandwiches in school’s buffet because you are hungry”, ok yes, that passes the test. The Universal law said that you can buy sandwiches because everyone will accept that. But if you would say “As a general rule, it is okay to steal sandwiches in school’s buffet because you are hungry”, that would not pass the test. Not everyone will...
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...Immanuel Kant’s essay An Answer to the Question: ‘What is Enlightenment?’ is a work that creates a sense of dependence and independence.” The motto of the Enlightenment is therefore: Sapere aude! Have courage to use your own understanding.” (Kant 54).Kant plainly tells the audience that we as human beings aren’t able to function in society properly and yet dares us to go out of our comfort zone. Kant presents the problems with society and the people within then encourages the people to better people because Kant knows the potential that each of the people in society holds. Is Kant’s an essay a call to democratic thinking? Kant’s essay dares us to be wise which is a call to go out and be an individual; go into the world and think for you. As a society we are still being spoon feed everything we don’t like change, we don’t like being told to do something different because we don’t know or what the unknowing. “Instead, new prejudices, like the ones they replaced, will serve as a leash to control the great unthinking mass.” (Kant 55). Society constrains the thinking process, we see what we can do and we replace the old with the same new thing or we choose not to change a thing. Kant essential words tell us that we need to be given freedom we can’t be prepared for it. Kant’s work provides examples and different experiences that can happen between the population of the society and the different aspects of the society compared to the government and how the government operates separately...
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...initiative. Please Read How You Can Help Keep the Encyclopedia Free Author & Citation Info | Friends PDF Preview | InPho Search | PhilPapers Bibliography Kant and Hume on Morality First published Wed Mar 26, 2008; substantive revision Sun Aug 12, 2012 The ethics of Immanuel Kant (1724–1804) is often contrasted with that of David Hume (1711–1776). Hume's method of moral philosophy is experimental and empirical; Kant emphasizes the necessity of grounding morality in a priori principles. Hume says that reason is properly a “slave to the passions,” while Kant bases morality in his conception of a reason that is practical in itself. Hume identifies such feelings as benevolence and generosity as proper moral motivations; Kant sees the motive of duty—a motive that Hume usually views as a second best or fall back motive—as uniquely expressing an agent's commitment to morality and thus as conveying a special moral worth to actions. Although there are many points at which Kant's and Hume's ethics stand in opposition to each other, there are also important connections between the two. Kant shared some important assumptions about morality and motivation with Hume, and had, early in his career, been attracted to and influenced by the sentimentalism of Hume and other British moralists. The aim of this essay is not to compare Hume and Kant on all matters ethical. Instead, we examine...
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...Immanuel Kant A Famous Philosopher 10/21/2012 Kelley Huttar Immanuel Kant (1724 – 1804): Immanuel Kant was a modern day German deontologist from Prussia and became one of history’s most famous Philosophers. A deontologist is someone who believes in acts that are strictly right or wrong. Kant was an influential thinker and one of the last philosophers of the Enlightenment era. However his work in epistemology (the study of knowledge) and theology (the study of religion) are still influential to current philosophers of our time. He was also known for his beliefs in ethics and his knowledge in astronomy. Kant was an independent person, meaning he did not let others influence his way of thought. He created his own moral values and acted alone in his findings and did not look for outside criticism. He believed that other people’s emotions and view towards a subject could impact one’s moral values and behavior. He was admired by his friends for this quality, and because of this he became famous for the concept known as the categorical imperative (Evers). Theory Developed and Its Example: Categorical Imperative: Kant developed a theory on morality that is known as the categorical imperative. This theory implies that one should only act on his or her own morals. Kant believed a person has a duty to be moral in every sense as he believed this was a moral requirement. He also believed that an action one takes must be moral enough for the entire universe to agree...
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...------------------------------------------------- Immanuel Kant Immanuel Kant (German pronunciation: [ɪˈmaːnu̯eːl ˈkant]; 22 April 1724 – 12 February 1804) was a German philosopher from Königsberg in Prussia(today Kaliningrad, Russia) who researched, lectured and wrote on philosophy and anthropology during the Enlightenment at the end of the 18th century.[1] Kant's major work, the Critique of Pure Reason (Kritik der reinen Vernunft, 1781),[2] aimed to unite reason with experience to move beyond what he took to be failures of traditional philosophy and metaphysics. He hoped to end an age of speculation where objects outside experience were used to support what he saw as futile theories, while opposing the skepticism of thinkers such as Berkeley and Hume. He stated: "It always remains a scandal of philosophy and universal human reason that the existence of things outside us ... should have to be assumed merely on faith, and that if it occurs to anyone to doubt it, we should be unable to answer him with a satisfactory proof."[3] Kant proposed a "Copernican Revolution-in-reverse", saying that: "Up to now it has been assumed that all our cognition must conform to the objects; but ... let us once try whether we do not get farther with the problems of metaphysics by assuming that the objects must conform to our cognition."[4] Kant published other important works on ethics, religion, law, aesthetics, astronomy, and history. These included the Critique of Practical Reason(Kritik...
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...U59-86-3207 PH100 A1 Final Paper TF: I-Kai Final Paper on Knowledge/Ethics In Plato’s The Meno, Socrates successfully convinces two men of politics not only that they have no understanding of virtue, but also that no one does. This conversation leads us to be conscious of the fact that we are living in a state of uncertainty. It raises the question: what should we believe? We need to know whether it is enough for our beliefs to be true on face value, or whether we have to come to believe them for certain reasons. We need to know whether or not we have a choice in what we believe. Finally, we need to know if a person is entitled to believe what they want. William Clifford in his, The Ethics of Belief, argues that “It is wrong, always, everywhere, and for anyone, to believe anything upon insufficient evidence.” I believe Clifford is correct in stating this because in order for something to be true it requires sufficient evidence. The presence of sufficient evidence entitles us to believe in whatever ideas our evidence supports. Thus it would be wrong to believe anything upon insufficient evidence. Clifford opens up with an anecdote of a shipowner who was to send his ship across the sea. Doubts had been suggested that the ship might not be seaworthy. The owner removed all the doubts and acquired a sincere conviction that the ship would make it across the sea safely as it had many times in the past. Mid-way through the journey the ship sank and the shipowner collected his insurance...
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...Throughout, Immanuel Kant’s essay, he addresses the causes for a lack of Enlightenment in society, and the requirements a person must meet in order to gain it. Also he emphasizes a direct critique of church, education and state with regard to how it tells citizens to think, he argues that any lack of Enlightenment is really due to lack of courage on the thinker's part. For instance, all this restraints makes us incapable of actually thinking for ourselves and consequently it limits our actions. However, at the same time education, rules and the knowledge that have influenced our society has also allowed us to protest or at least think different. On one hand it has been a limitation, but to others has inspired us. It also has offered the opportunity to keep an open mind about things that are not certain. If we are able to understand, then we can make our own decisions about life and the pursuit of happiness. Definitely, knowledge offers different perspectives and the possibility to stand for what you believe to be right. Furthermore, if there were no laws established by the government, there would be chaos and uncertainty. But that doesn’t mean that people have to be submissive and accept everything without having a say in it. Now as we saw in the past, there have been some laws that have been established by elected officials, for example segregation back in the days in American history. It was considered to be breaking the law to protest against it, but if there were no...
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...IMMANUEL KANT - BIOGRAPHY Dropbox Assignment #3 By Michael Johnson Darryl Sanborn Business Ethics (MGMT 368) 04/12/06 Michael Johnson Darryl Sanborn Business Ethics (MGMT 368) 04/12/06 IMMANUEL KANT - BIOGRAPHY Immanuel Kant was born in Königsberg, East Prussia in 1724. He attended the Collegium Fridiricianum when he was eight years old. He studied there for eight years. He then went into the University Of Königsberg, where he spent his academic career focusing on philosophy, mathematics and physics. When his father passed away it affected him strongly and he left the university. He earned his living as a private tutor. In 1755 he accepted the help of a friend and resumed his studies at the university. He received his doctorate in 1756. He taught at the university for 15 years, in the beginning his lectures were in the sciences and mathematics arenas. He would eventually also lecture most branches of philosophy. Even though he had a growing reputation as an original thinker, he did not gain tenure at the university until 1770. That is when he received his professorship of logic and metaphysics. [1] He continued writing and lecturing at Königsberg for 27 years. He attracted many students there due to his rationalist and hence, unconventional approach to religious texts. This led to political pressure from the government of Prussia, and in 1792, he was barred from teaching or writing on religious subjects by the King of Prussia, Fredrich William...
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...------------------------------------------------- Immanuel Kant Immanuel Kant (German pronunciation: [ɪˈmaːnu̯eːl ˈkant]; 22 April 1724 – 12 February 1804) was a German philosopher from Königsberg in Prussia(today Kaliningrad, Russia) who researched, lectured and wrote on philosophy and anthropology during the Enlightenment at the end of the 18th century.[1] Kant's major work, the Critique of Pure Reason (Kritik der reinen Vernunft, 1781),[2] aimed to unite reason with experience to move beyond what he took to be failures of traditional philosophy and metaphysics. He hoped to end an age of speculation where objects outside experience were used to support what he saw as futile theories, while opposing the skepticism of thinkers such as Berkeley and Hume. He stated: "It always remains a scandal of philosophy and universal human reason that the existence of things outside us ... should have to be assumed merely on faith, and that if it occurs to anyone to doubt it, we should be unable to answer him with a satisfactory proof."[3] Kant proposed a "Copernican Revolution-in-reverse", saying that: "Up to now it has been assumed that all our cognition must conform to the objects; but ... let us once try whether we do not get farther with the problems of metaphysics by assuming that the objects must conform to our cognition."[4] Kant published other important works on ethics, religion, law, aesthetics, astronomy, and history. These included the Critique of Practical Reason(Kritik...
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...SBUS10040 Foundations of Management Thought Bachelor of Commerce International, University College Dublin Tutorial CRN: 74866 Tutor Name: Carolin Grampp Student Name: Brian Allen Student Number: 12459812 Submission Deadline: 7th November 2013 Essay Title: critique scientific management-as promoted by Frederick Taylor- and rational legal bureaucracy-as described and analysed by Max Weber- highlighting how they are both outcomes of enlightenment thinking. Your essay should draw on the assigned readings, as appropriate, from week two to week seven. Word count: 1000 “By submitting your work via this SafeAssign link you declare that all materials included in this submission are product of your own work and that due acknowledgement have been given in the text and in the bibliography to ALL sources, be they printed, electronic or personal. You also declare that you will not facilitate plagiarism by making your work available to others through hard copy distribution or other means. Furthermore, you declare that the submitted material has not been submitted for grading purposes in the past, be it for this module or other modules that you have undertaken as part of your studies.” Date: 6/11/13 Signature:Brian Allen Reflection: In general I found myself more capable...
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...In Favor Of Kant 3/17/13 As per reading this assignment, one can already tell how complicated the situation is. How can I prevent an upheaval in my town by not finding the actual murderer but framing an innocent homeless man who is oblivious to the entire situation prior to entering the town? How can this be justified? Should the idea of framing someone innocent even be thought of? Having two philosophers in mind, Immanuel Kant and John Stuart Mill, I immediately distinguish the theories and arguments and come to a conclusion which I think will justify this difficult case. I shall argue in favor of Immanuel Kant that that the homeless man should not be arrested and framed and why Mill’s theory of Utilitarianism doesn’t apply to this case. Immanuel Kant observed the world around him and realized that everyone despite different cultures or religions obeyed a specific kind of moral law. For Kant, an action can only be correct, if it is the taken out of duty. He believed that the rightness or wrongness of actions does not depend on their consequences but on whether they act on moral duty. We all have a duty, and those duties should obey the supreme principal which is the categorical imperative. These are duties that we ought to do because they are unconditional commands. The universal law formulation explains that one should act on maxim through which can become a universal law in nature if it applies to each and every person in society. Everyone should conform to an...
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...Ethics-MGMT-368D Dropbox #3 Kant June 19, 2013 On Immanuel Kant Immanuel Kant was born on April 22, 1724 near the Baltic Sea in Konigsberg which is now Kaliningrad and a part of Russia. Kant’s father was a harness maker at a time when harness making was in decline and as such his family dealt with financial struggles, but were never destitute. His parents were Pietist, evangelical Lutherans, who “emphasized conversion, reliance on divine grace, the experience of religious emotions and personal devotion involving regular Bible study, prayer and introspection” (Rohlf). Being forced to attend the Collegium Fridericianum, a Pietist school, from eight through fifteen, Kant’s youth was spent in forced devotion to Bible study and soul-searching. He did, however, find Latin classic writing interesting. As Kant matured, his “emphasis on reason and autonomy” overcame his youthful rebellion against Pietism (Rohlf). No matter how he felt about his parents’ religion, he admired both his parents and their strong belief and value in working hard and being honest. College at the University of Koinigsberg opened Kant’s eyes to philosophy, which included “mathematics and physics as well as logic, metaphysics, ethics and natural law” (Rohlf). Financially unable to pursue an academic career, Kant became a teacher at Albertina, from where he retired at seventy-two. His first writings were scientific works in 1754 and 1755. It wasn’t until later, from 1762-1764, that Kant published five...
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...HRE M01 Valentina Sanchez April 4th, 2016 Church and Kant on Refugee Crisis Catholic teachings are known to bring forth the concept of loving one another and helping those in need. These teachings are evident in the pastoral letter that has been released recently. The letter states that “Pope Francis has repeatedly reminded us of [the refuges] need for help, and appealed to the world not to turn our hearts away when homeless masses seek shelter, protection and a better life,” this letter highlights the fact that as a Catholic one has the duty to help others and to fulfill those duties one must follow the word of God. The Catholic teachings are known amongst many people and can also resemble that of other teachings. The crisis that is currently occurring has caused many to lose everything, and they are seeking help and a better life in other countries. Welcoming refugees with open arms bring one closer to God since one would be following some of the most important Catholic teaching which is treating everyone with dignity, even though the immigration policies have had to progress over time they are at a point now that will be able to help those in need. . The Ethical message of helping ones neighbor brought forth by the Article is similar to that of Kant’s Golden Rule which teaches that you must do unto others as you want done to you, truly representing the views of Catholicism and highlighting how important it is to love thy neighbor and how this will play a necessary...
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...GROUNDING FOR THE METAPHYSICAL OF MORAL BY IMMANUEL KANTS A BRIEF HISTORY OF IMMUEL KANT Kant was born in 1727 and he died in 1804 (80 years). He never leaved the city where he was born. People could regulate their wrist watch to Kant. (rising, coffee drinking, writing lecturing, dinning, walking, each of this things has its set time and when Immanuel Kant in his grey coat, came in hand appeared at the door of his house strolled towards the small avenue of Linden trees, which is still called- The Philosophers walk, the neighbor’s knew it was exactly half past three by the clock. He never married. His family belongs to lower middle class and they were very religious. In recognition of his son’s academic ability and because of the family religious persuasion, his father sent him to a local Pietist college to prepare for the ministry. Kant’s inner life was as dramatic as his outer life. He renounced the external and emotional side of religion. In his search for the round of the validity of ethics, Kant’s employed the same method by which he establishes the ground of the certainty of science. According to him, a valid moral principle must be independent of the empirical data of morality, if is to be binding upon all men. In short, a genuine morality requires an a priori foundation (beyond or before practical experience) Kant’s believes that ordinary moral consciousness or conscience reveals to every man that moral precept are universal and necessary. They are valid for all rational...
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...challenge men on the playing field, court, etc. From the beginning of time, women have existed right alongside with men. Many questions were conjured up as to why the physical existence is so distinct from each body. Many different philosophers constructed their own unique views on this matter. Aristotle believed that women are absolute subsidiary to men, thus establishing, anything women can do, men can do better, faster and stronger. Another world-renowned man, Rousseau, believed that men women existed with different capabilities, and women were here only to please men and carry out domestic and maternal duties. Also, as Aristotle claimed, Rousseau too contested that men stand above women. Similar to Rousseau, a philosopher by the name of Kant attested, women are to be wed, and therefore the servant of...
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