Immanuel Kant And Normative Ethics

Normative Ethics

Normative ethics is all about deliberating what is right and wrong. If there was one clear path, then no one would argue what should be done in situations where what is right or wrong is unclear. To some philosophers, a right can outweigh a wrong. For others, a wrong is always wrong, no matter what. In the following situation, most people in this moral dilemma are irresolute on their course of action:

You run an orphanage and have a hard time making ends meet. A car dealership offers you a van worth $15,000 for free if you will falsely report to the government that the dealership donated the van worth $30,000. You truly need the van and it will give you an opportunity to make the children happy. Do you agree to take the van?

Unlike J.J.C. Smart, Kant is strict about morality and what ought to be done no matter what the situation is. First, Kant discusses the idea of goodwill. In his own words, it is” …good in itself and, regarded for itself, is to be valued incomparably higher than all that could be merely be brought about it by it in favor of some inclination and indeed, if you will, a sum of all inclinations (Kant 89).” Kant’s more famous philosophy is the categorical imperative. Categorical imperatives are commands that are applicable to everyone and must be followed regardless of one’s own desires or preferences. Kant has four formulations of the categorical imperatives and the two most common and significant ideas are the universal law and the humanity formulation. The universal law formulation states that one must “act as if the maxim of your action were to become by your will a universal law of nature (94).” As a result, Kant says that there are no exceptions of rule breaking for anyone and you must follow the rules unless you want everyone to break the rule. Next, there is the humanity formulation which postulates, “so act that you use the same humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other, always at the same time as an end, never merely as a mere means (96).” This formulation emphasizes the humanity of individuals and that a person should not be treated like an object but rather an autonomous human being. All things considered, what would Kant suggest the orphanage owner do in this situation. First, tax evasion breaks the universal law formulation since we would not wish that everyone lies on their taxes. Second, the auto dealership is violating the humanity formulation since they are using the orphanage as a mere means to write off a higher amount for charitable donations. They have no regard for the humanity of the orphans or owner. Overall, Kant would say the dealership is+ wrong for treating the