This paper is a condensed reaction to philosper Immanuel Kant theory on ethics. It expresses my observations and instinctual feelings concerning the philosophers statements on how man should behave.
It discusses the major points of the philosophers statement. Reaction: Kant’s Moral Cans Pamela L. Atchison Concordia University Texas 04. 15.
13 .Initial viewing of the Sandel lecture about the nineteenth and twentieth century philosopher and his philosophy on human morals and autonomy was exhilarating and exhausting at the same time.Exhilarating because of the affirmation the message brought concerning the attitude for doing the right thing during life’s challenges is or should be built in and a major portion of being human. Reasoning sets man apart and above the lower levels of the animal kingdom. Kant emphasizes to overwrought simplicity. His pronouncement of morality being driven by reasoning may allow positive thoughts and positive behavior a personal reward for humans who chose to approach life with doing all actions appropriately correct in all situations.
His idea of everyone being a rational agent supports a soul fulfilling feeling when humans choose the brightly lit path to righteousness. Illumination hovers and surrounds good, positive deeds done for no other reason other than being the right thing to do. A few days ago, words parted the mouth of a cherished friend and retired principal. This writer sought advice with concerns of a future as a public school principal.The cherished friend was asked, “How should a principal approach the many problems present and occurring during the daily operations of the school with faculty, staff and children in mind? ” The cherished friends response was, “Always seek the truth and proceed with honesty and the truth in mind and intention.
” Her words resonated in a natural place in the core of being. It felt so right and somehow gave a hypothetical relief to many what ifs of tomorrow which may need to be handled.Fear was relieved and the belief in what is appropriate and right allowed for the acceptance of God’s divine intervention to uphold and reinforce the promise of positive, righteous action. Subsequent viewings of Sandel’s lecture revealed questions still loom overhead and swarm with an unharmonious buzzing about why it seems hard for so many people to choose the right things to do in our communities.
Questions permeate and threaten to pierce resolve of righteousness and the immense desire to always do what is right and good.There is a high level of pity for all who continually choose what is improper and plain wrong. Helpless feelings should be erased with trust in the categorical imperative. Reliance on ones faith and faith of others supports confidence in the idea of all beings being well as progress toward tomorrow proceeds.
Another thought surfaced. If everyone has the innate, built in sense of rationality when does it takeover in the presence of evil or in the presence of those who have emotional and mental flaws cursing and burdening their actions and thoughts.Another thought emerges to encourage belief in the numbers of those in the society with healthy reasoning being available to watch over and weave right into breakdowns and destructive elements threatening future peace of the universal mind. An adage surges forth and becomes more than cliche. “We are our brother’s keeper.
” For all the tomorrows and wrongs willed to us the promise of reasoning and rationality will always exist. Looking back to the days when Kant studied, theorized, and taught it is forcefully assuring that right is might.The passing centuries enforce the premise and value in Kant’s teachings. Humans are the ends, moral conclusions are universally available today and they will be available in the tomorrows to come as more centuries pass and other students look back to Kant’s studies and teachings. The beatitudes will forever govern man as long as man exists. Some who resist and mock righteousness may charge this as deep thinking.
It is not. It is the most simple, most natural thinking available to mankind. What must happen is that man must stop, cease, and desist in making life difficult.Man must recall and remember how God’s gift of reasoning persists as our saving grace toward positive results to dilemmas. Freedom does not mean doing whatever one wants.
Freedom involves a price and value found in duty, morality, and rights. According to Kant each of these elements is found in human reasoning.
