Reviewing Kant's Theory of Ethical Duty

In this essay I will discuss some of the work done by Immanuel Kant. I will explain Kant's general criticism of Bentham and Baumgarten ethical theories. Second I am going to defining how Kant distinguishes between autonomy and heteronomy. Next I will explain Kant's formulation of the "categorical imperative." Finally I will close with how adherence to the categorical imperative provides for autonomous ethical choice.

One theory that Kant makes a few comments about is that of Jeremy Bentham, which is known as retributivism. This theory states that all punishment is evil. Kant says that people who do something wrong deserve punishment. He thinks by punishing them we are paying them back for what they have done. Kant also says that punishment is justified even if it increases the sum total of misery over happiness in the world.

Another theory that Kant has a different view on is that Baumgarten. Baumgarten says that God is the legislator and author of all natural obligations, because he is the author of the world. Kant believed that a categorical command must lie in the nature of things, not in God. I think that when talking about author and legislator, they are referring to the author as the one who makes the laws and the legislator as the one who declares them.

Autonomy and heteronomy are two completely different types of free will. Autonomy is "the freedom to act independently of any external rule of authority. IN Kant's ethical theory, autonomy of action is a necessary condition for moral choice." (Pence 2000) "For Kant, heteronomy is the opposite of autonomy. Whereas an autonomous person is one whose will is self-determined, a heteronymous person is one whose will is determined by something outside of the person, such as overwhelming emotions. Etymologically, heteronomy goes back to the Greek words for "other" and "law.""(Hinman 1994)

One of Kant's most famous theories is his moral theory which says that as humans we are able to make rational and free choices. He believes that since we are humans we are rational and we are able to judge whether an action is moral by asking if the action is consistent with the categorical imperative. The categorical imperative principle is what can be considered the ultimate principle. It is called an imperative because it is a command. The commands tell us to exercise our wills in a certain way. It is called categorical because we have rational and free will. Kant offers three different versions of categorical imperatives. Which are as follows

1."Act only according to that maxim by which you can at the same time will that it would become a universal law. " (Rachels 2003)

2."Act in such a way that you always treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other, never simply as a means, but at the same time as an end." (Rachels 2003)

3. "So act as if you were through your maxims a law-making member of a kingdom of ends'" (Rachels 2003)

Number one could be said as treat other the same way that you want them to treat you. This is the categorical imperative that ties Kant's moral theory together. Number two means that humans are the most important factor in decision making and that human suffering is morally wrong. Number three says that we should always consider others when making a decision.

Kant's shows that moral obligation includes autonomous self-legislation, and constructivism appears to be a natural way to interpret this. "In the Grundlegung, Kant says that the concept of a good will as the only unqualified good. A good will acts not out of inclination, but from objective practical laws. For a being with needs this means that a good will acts from duty, according to an "ought". Because moral obligations are categorically rather then hypothetically commanded, this means that a will that acts from duty is not determined by material motives but by pure practical reason, out of respect for the moral law."

After reading Kant's work I found my self shocked and confused. Kant's work was very hard to comprehend and difficult to follow. I had to go over it a few times to finally grasp the concept of what he was trying to say. I don't agree with all of his work. In fact I can only point out of theory that I agree with. That is the Theory that says "Act only according to that maxim by which you can at the same time will that it would become a universal law. "(Rachels) I have always been taught to treat others the way you want to be treated and this theory goes along with that. One of Kant's theories that I highly disapprove of is his theory about animals.

Kant thought that humans occupied a special place in the world, just as others have believed for hundreds of years. We have always thought of ourselves being better or more important than any other creation. Kant believed that dignity is what makes humans so important. Kant believes that because animals have no dignity that they are fir humans to use in any way they wise. I strongly disagree with this particular topic about animals. Kant's theory about animals states that we as humans have a right to torture animals and the reason not to would be guilt. I have several pets of my own, and if Kant was still alive today I know that I sure would not let him near them, they are like my children. Personally, I don't believe that we are superior to animals. Lots of people owe their lives to animals. Animals such as service dogs help people survive each day. There are seeing eye dogs and dogs that let people know that they are going to have a seizures. With out animals like these many people wouldn't be able to function normal in our society. Therefore, I believe we have no right to torture them.

In closing here is a quick over view of Kant. Kant's has sparked many fiery subjects with in ethics. His theories are highly debatable among everyone. The most important ethical theory from Kant is what he calls categorical imperative. Kant offers several formulations of this principle, which pretty much say the same thing. Overall his views are overly demanding. Kant's believes in free will. His work is very wordy and confessing. I will live you with these words from Immanuel Kant "Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life."

Reference

Pence, Gregory (2000). A dictionary of Common Philosophical Terms. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. ( Pence 2000)

Hinman, Lawrence (1994). Ethics Updates. Retrieved August 16, 2006, from Ethics Updates Web site: http://ethics.acusd.edu/Glossary.html (Hinman 1994)

Rachels, James (2003). The elements of Moral Philosophy. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. (Rachels 2003)