Question

Write a 2-3 page essay arguing your position on whether Kant is correct in his conception of morality being solely concerned with right actions. Is his conception of right actions correct? As always, demonstrate your understanding through the description of the theory, craft a valid argument and support your premises.

Answer 1

Kant's theory is also known as Deontological Moral Theory. According to him, the rightness and wrongness of an action does not depend on the consequences. It depends on the fact that whether these actions complete our duties or not.

He also says that there is a supreme principle of morality which is known as Categorical Imperative. It fills us with the feeling about the behaviour which should be done by other people by considering it as universal law. According to me, his conception about morality is not right.

Appropriateness and Inappropriateness of an action can only be determined by their consequences. Consequences and results are always seen for evaluating an action. Suppose there is a thief. He steals every single day. According to him his actions are appropriate and justified, because his actions are full filling his needs.

Now consider the consequences of his actions. His actions are causing harm to someone affected. Suppose one day he pickpocketed a guy. That guy was carrying admit card for a crucial job interview. He was in great need of that job as his financial conditions were not good.

His wallet carrying the admit card and a little amount of money was pickpocketed by the thief. Thief will get a little amount of money but think about the loss of the guy. He had borrowed that money for reaching to job interiew location.

He is now without money and without an opportunity to face the crucial job interview. His mental pain can only be imagined. So, consequences of an action are also considered in defining the rightness and wrongness of an action.