Moral Philosophy
Moral Philosophy
Moral philosophy refers to the branch of philosophy that examines what is termed as right and wrong. It investigates the Nature of morality and does research on how people are supposed to live their lives compared to others. Moral philosophy is an important branch in our daily living because it helps us know what to do and what not to do, when, where and to who. People should, therefore, follow the philosophy to know how to live and relate with others.
Immanuel Kant in his short stories claimed that the most superior rule of decency is a rule of action rationality that he ignored the Categorical imperative. He depicted the Categorical Imperative as a target, rationally crucial and unconditional rule that we should follow irrespective of any necessary wishes we might be having to the opposite. All unique ethical needs according to Him are discussed by this law, that signifies that every unethical doing is nonsensical because it breaks the Categorical Imperative. Furthermore, it is the availability of self- governing proximate in every person that Kant believed provided decisive space for looking at each as processed of uniform worth and entitled to equal respect.
Most of Kant’s swayful positions in ethical philosophy are contained in the “GroundWork of the Metaphysics of Morals” though he attained , enhanced and in some cases modified those beliefs in works thereafter. In my discussion, I will majorly focus on the important dociles of the “GroundWork,” although in the past years, scholars have not been contented with this unique approach of Kant’s beliefs and have changed their concentration to his works afterwards . We notice that the quality approach most clarifying although important positions are outlined in the later works.
Kant’s humanity formula demands for respect for the humankind in people.He states that humanity’s definition of the CI,which communicates that people are not behave in a manner that we mistreat human beings whether in others or in ourselves as a means but as an end in itself. This is majorly deemed as introducing the essence of respect for human beings, for all that is essential to our humankind. The thought of an end has got three senses as per him, which consists of two positive senses and one negative sense.
The formula of the universal law of Nature as discussed by Kant, requires that a person should first formulate an aphorism that shows one’s proposed plan of action. Second, mould again the aphorism as an unlimited rule of Nature enclosing all the rational agents, and ensure that all should work to fulfill your purpose. Third, ensure that your aphorism is uniform , achievable in a world ruled by this new rule of Nature. If it is, therefore, lastly Kant requires that we ask ourselves whether we can act on the existing Nature and if yes then the action is morally right and we should proceed and do our planned action.
Kant also in his writing discusses on the duty and respect for moral law and states that what is unique about incentive by duty is that it involves bare respect for the philosophical law. He believes that what naturally comes into one’s mind is that , a duty is a rule of some kind mixed with some kind of felt incentive on the choices we make whether from external influence by other persons or from our personal powers of reasoning. For example, city and countries’ laws outline the duties its officers should do and implement them with some penalties.Thus if we act because it is our civic duty, the only motivating factor is respect for the symbol that guarantees it to be our duty.
Finally, Kant argues that all of the above discussed formulas were similar. Although he does not mention the extent. What he mentions is only that these are definitions of exactly the same law, every one of them by its own connecting the next two around it and that the existing differences among them are more of opinions than objectively practical, in the judgement that each intents to come up with an idea of cause nearer to intuition and therefore closer to feeling. Kant also explains that one formula comes after another and the concept underlying to one formula forms a closer connection , thus the vicious circle of moral philosophy. Kant’s statement that every formula connects the other two within it first implies that the formulas are similar in meaning.
Earlier discussed, we have seen the meaning of moral philosophy as being a branch of philosophy that helps differentiate the right from wrong. Also, we have discussed about several formulas that connect with each other forming the vicious circle. Again, we have outlined various arguments of Immanuel Kant on what he thinks and believes concerning the moral philosophy and can see that he believes that humanity respect forms the largest part of moral philosophy, that in everything we do we should ensure our self-respect and respect for others too. Through this, we have learnt to respect other people’s rights as well as our own.
Reference
Kant, I. (2020). Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals (pp. 17-98). Routledge.