Kant and Deontological Theory Essay - 1226 Words

Kant and Deontological Theory Immanuel Kant was a moral philosopher. His theory, better known as deontological theory, holds that intent, reason, rationality, and good will are motivating factors in the ethical decision making process. The purpose of this paper is to describe and explain major elements of his theory, its essential points, how it is used in the decision making process, and how it intersects with the teams values. While Kant’s theory may seem â€Å"overly optimistic† (Johnson, 2008) now, it was ruled as acceptable and rational behavior then. Kant believed that any moral or ethical decision could be achieved with consistent behavior. While judgment was based on reason, morals were based on rational choices made by human†¦show more content†¦The subject of good will for Kant is controversial. Kant believes that good will is not based on a reaction to the consequences, either negative or positive, merely by the intention of which the act was made. When an action is done in good will, the reasoning is not emotional (Johnson, 2008). It does not done out of sympathy or empathy for the individual, rather by a sense of duty. This is the controversial part because many believe that while good will is based on positive intentions, the act is performed through a feeling of love for the fellow man. Kant believes that good will focuses on all human beings regardless of feelings of love, friendship, bond, hatred, or lack of caring. This is why the best way to describe it is duty. However, Kant was not implying that no other motivating factor fuels good will. He was simply stating that when there is a dilemma that has the individual questioning the good will or morality of a decision that it is best to look at it from an unbiased view (Johnson, 2008). Removing emotional attachment from the situation has already proven to be helpful in making rational decisions in an otherwise difficult moment. According to Kant, imperatives are principles determining what individuals should do. These imperatives may be divided as those which are categorical, and those which are hypothetical; the former expresses imperatives that are thoseShow MoreRelatedKant Deontological Theory1659 Words   |  7 PagesStudent Name: Veronica Ryan Student No: 20120035 Assignment: Kant Lecturer: Prof: Wamsley Due Date: 23 August 2013 ____________________________________________________________________ Emmanuel Kant was an influential German Philosopher. He was born in Konigsberg in Prussia to Protestant parents he lived from 1724 to 1804. Kant observed the world around him and observed that that every culture religion and society has moral law whether they are obeyed or not. The Formula of Universal Law-Read MoreShould We Be A Good Grade?1612 Words   |  7 Pagesthe study and development of ethical standard. There are many ethical issues that make us question what is right and wrong, but where do these questions derive from and how do they play a part in our morals. Ethical theory has been studied by philosophers since Thales, and each theory explains a different outlook on how our morals are comprised. Utilitarianism states that no action is essentially right or wrong. Rather the rightness or wrongness of an action is based on the nonmoral good that weRead MoreEssay on Exploration of Deontological Ethics833 Words   |  4 PagesExploration of Deontological Ethics Deontological ethics is concerned not with the action itself but the consequences of the action. Moral value is conferred by virtue of the actions in themselves. If a certain act is wrong, then it is wrong in all circumstances and conditions, irrespective of the consequences. This view of ethic stands in opposition to teleological views such as utilitarianism, which hold the view that the consequences of an action determine its moralRead MoreWho Is A Soldier Refuse An Illegal Or Unjust Order?1309 Words   |  6 Pagesthat there are serious risk and consequences when Soldiers choose not to follow orders of their superiors and it rests on a Soldier’s understanding of what is illegal or unjust and immoral or moral. Kant is responsible for the most prominent and well-known form of deontological ethics. Kant’s moral theory is based on his view of the human being as having the unique capacity for rationality. Mitcham states that, â€Å"deontologists focus on the rightness of an act and not on what results from the act. Read MoreThe Ethical Argument For Veganism1685 Words   |  7 PagesUtilitarianism defined by John Stuart Mill, and Deontological ethics according to Immanuel Kant. Through the use of these theories, I will justify the moral worth and legitimacy of the animal welfare debate that is often used to promote a cruelty-free and vegan lifestyle by analyzing questions o f animal sentience, the worth of an animal’s happiness, and the right humanity supposedly has to the lives of other living creatures. Utilitarianism and Deontological ethics will provide two philosophical insightsRead MoreA Critical Evaluation of Worldcoms Ethical Problems Using the Deontological Framework1576 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿WorldCom Ethics Introduction The objective of this study is to examine the case of WorldCom and to answer the question of what are the ethical problems raised in the WorldCom case and to critically evaluate WorldComs ethical problems using the deontological framework. Finally, this study will assess WorldComs ethics and Immanuel Kants Categorical Imperative. I. WorldCom Ethical Problems Raised It is reported that the case study of Moberg and Romar (2003) notes WorldComs encounter with creativeRead MoreDeontological and Teleological Ethical Theory1660 Words   |  7 Pagesthe act Deontological Ethics = Non - Consequentialist Ethics Morality of an act is based in the act itself. Types of Teleological Ethics 1. Utilitarianism – Utilitarian moral theory is classical utilitarianism, 2. Varieties of ancient Greek virtue ethics – Aristotle Ethics is an Example a. The goal of ethics is to explain how one achieves the good life for human beings. There are only two basic kinds of prescriptive moral theories: teleological theories, deontological theories TELEOLOGICALRead MoreImmanuel Kants Theory Of Moralism And Utilitarian Ethics1377 Words   |  6 PagesDeontological ethicists focus on the morality of a person’s decisions based on principles of law or rules. Theories that follow this form of ethics question whether decisions made or considered good in action, rather than good in the end. Immanuel Kant, a famous great philosopher, generally based his thought on this form of ethics. On the other hand, utilitarian ethicists focus on maximizing the utilization of resources, also while balancing the principles of right and wrong. John Stuart Mills, anotherRead MoreKant And Kant s Theory Of Philosophy953 Words   |  4 PagesINFLUENCED BY: Kant was influenced by the scientist known for discovering gravity, Isaac Newton. Kant viewed the universe in a very mechanistic way, i.e., things operated according to fixed rules and emphasized the pre-eminence of reason as an authority for knowledge. It was this emphasis on reason that lead him towards his deontological theory, therefore he was concerned with the actions, not the consequences. Kant theory was influenced by: †¢ Religion: Kant thinking was used in Britain to challengeRead MoreDescribe the Main Principles of the Two Normative Ethical Theories of Deontology and Utilitarianism. Compare and Contrast the Two Theories, Bringing Out Any Problems or Limitations You See in Each.1652 Words   |  7 PagesDescribe the main principles of the two normative ethical theories of deontology and utilitarianism. Compare and contrast the two theories, bringing out any problems or limitations you see in each. Bioethics Essay †¢ Intro: Define ethics and define and introduce the two theories. (philosophical theories†¦) †¢ Utilitarianism- example †¢ Deontology- example- compare †¢ comparing- evaluating and critically analyzing*- similarities and differences. †¢ Limitations and positives*