Essay on Immanuel Kant’s Non- consequentialist Ethical...

1. Introduction According to Immanuel Kant the driving force behind our actions should be dictated by what is inherently good as sole consideration and not be based upon the effects of what such actions may produce such as the case in the consequentialist theory of cause. In this essay Kant’s ethical non-consequentialist theory will be briefly investigated and a comparison drawn between the two different theories in order to establish merit in employment thereof in practice. 2. Kantian Morality Central to Kant’s morality theory is his claim that: â€Å"It is impossible to conceive anything at all in the world, or even out of it, which can be taken as good without qualification, except a good will† (Cottingham, 2008: 507). When a person engages,†¦show more content†¦It is thus based upon a principle where Kant states as follows: â€Å"I ought never to act except in such a way that I can also will that my maxim should become a universal law† (Cottingham, 2008: 506). 3. Goodwill The question that arises from Kant’s statement about goodwill, is what principles should a will conform to if it is to be good? On this Kant states: â€Å" A good will is not good because of what it effects or accomplishes – because of its fitness for attaining some proposed end: it is good through its willing alone – that is good in itself † (Cottingham, 2008: 507). So for Kant a good deed is not based upon a condition of the production of a favourable outcome, but rather for the good in itself. Therefore, according to him, the objective for our actions should not be based upon the consequences of such actions, but rather upon the fact that it is our duty to perform a specific deed or action. His views of that which can be classified as good, is therefore based upon the condition of such a deed being driven by our duty to conduct such a deed as opposed to being driven due the outcomes it may produce. The fact Kant has it that the values of the actions we employ should not form the foundation on which our principles are based, makes Kant’s theory of moral cause a non-consequentialist one. A good will is according to Kant, a will that chooses an actionShow MoreRelatedEssay about Kants Formalism Theory716 Words   |  3 PagesKants Formalism Theory The theories of Immanuel Kant, a German philosopher, have had an impact on the formulation and shaping of ethics today. Immanuel Kant graced this earth from 1724 to 1804. During his eighty year life time, he formulated many interesting ideas regarding ethical conduct and motivation. Kant is strictly a non-consequentialist philosopher, which means that he believes that a persons choices should have nothing to do with the desired outcome, but instead mankind simplyRead MoreEthical Dilemmas : What Should Jean Do? Essay1551 Words   |  7 PagesEthical Dilemmas: What should Jean do? 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