Issues: Kant

November 13, 2012
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If you can DARM Kant you can definitely get an A grade!

1. DERIVATION –  How does Kant derive the idea of goodness from the noumenal world (and how would we explain the noumenal?).  Can you explain a priori synthetic truth?

2. APPLICATION – How does Kant apply the two ideas, of universalisability and the principle of ends, using the ideas of the contradiction in nature and will? (Note, to Kant doing wrong is self-contradictory).

3. REALISM – can Kant get round the criticism that the crazy axeman example suggests his ethics is too inflexible to be realistic – of course we would lie to save our friend.

4. MOTIVATION – is Kant’s theory of moral motivation enough?  Remember, we must answer the question, “why should I be moral?’ (rather than a selfish egoist).  Kant’s theory suggests I will be moral because I respect, love and be amazed by the moral law, in fact “two things fill me with wonder, the starry hosts above and the moral law within”, said Kant.  Would this convince the young man in my street who likes driving at 60mph through the village?  Are “duty for duty’s sake” or “virtue is its own reward” (two Kantian sayings), really realistic?  What about moral feelings.

1 Comment
  1. vanessa April 19, 2016 Reply

    You misspelt would in the above passage.

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