Kantian Ethics

(Originally Written April 19, 2006 in 3 Subject)

Kant made an impact, a lasting impact in Aesthetics, Epistemology and Ethics especially.

Criticism of Kant's Epistemology:

-Kant gave too much to Hume
-If Kant is right, then there is no way that we can know he is right because a priori concepts of the mind are beyond what we can access. If everything is simply an appearance of the real thing, how can I be sure that my mind that I know isn't merely my interpretation of the actual mind (or a representation or appearance of my mind)?

Kant's Ethics

-Aimed to put Ethics on a rational level
-backlash at consequentialist ethical theories like Utilitarianism (teleological)
-Deontological in nature (duty-based)
-Kant asks, what is our duty? How are we obligated?
-The only unqualified good is The Good Will. It can't be gifts of nature (talents, humor, etc.) can and are used for evil. It can't be acquired things (wealth, honor, prestige, etc.) because these can and are used for evil. But the Good Will cannot be and is not used for evil.
-What does a good will do? It respects the moral law.
-The Moral Law comes from Scripture, but it is so imbedded in us that even if there were no Scriptures we would still be able to know it.

The Law of Non-Contradiction: Our guide for theoretical/hypothetical reason

The Categorical Imperative: Practical reason guide,

The categorical imperative is the moral law.

The first version of the categorical imperative is to act on only that maxim that at the same time you could will it to become universal law. The second version is to always respect humans as ends in and of themselves and never as a means only.