Kant Case

Short Paper 2 – Kant

The majority of rational people understand the obligation of fulfilling a duty.  As Kant says the duty is what a man is supposed to do regardless of the outcome.  In fact, he asserts that “good will is good not because of what it performs or effects… but simply by virtue of the volition” (Kant 1, 1).  It is easy to see how reason is used to determine a man’s will and once he obeys and “listens” to reason, it is very easy for him to fulfill his duty of doing the right thing.  A good portion of Kant’s principles seem to be very reasonable but there does not seem to be much wiggle room.  This absolutism is where many people feel that Kant’s principles are too rigid and create a goal that is almost impossible to reach.

        Under these principles, even the smallest of lies, to perhaps avoid hurting someone’s feelings, are still considered to be wrong.  There is an example given of a mother who steals food to feed her children.  Of course, it is her duty to feed and care for her children so stealing food to feed them may seem like it is good.  However, it is still stealing and stealing is wrong so regardless of how the good the end is, the act is morally wrong and the rest is null.  This is an example of some of the rigidity in these principles and many would argue that while the mother’s theft is morally wrong, the end is in such good will that it could outweigh the wrongdoing.  Another example would be a man’s duty to protect his family and property from burglars and other trespassing criminals.  While injuring, and possibly killing, a man is absolutely wrong, let’s say a man, while saving his family from certain death, kills an intruder.  Kant would say that the man was wrong and that no matter how good it turned out the act was morally wrong.  Some would say that a man’s only true duty is the protection of his family and that protection will be delivered at any cost with no regard for the consequences.

        These moral standards, however strict they may be, are fine ideals for which one should strive.  There are many principles within Kant’s text that have managed to stand the test of time and a few that have seemed to evolve in some ways.  These are lofty goals to set for how a man wishes to live his life and he may fall short at times.  In the end, however, he will be better off for at least attempting to walk on such a path.

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