Morality by Immanuel Kant
Instructions:
According to Immanuel Kant, morality is grounded in absolute moral rules that we must adhere to under all circumstances. One such moral rule is the prohibition against lying.
Answer the following. 1.Explain why Kant believed there cannot be any exceptions to the duty not to lie, regardless of the consequences. (30 points)
2.Explain why, according to the general moral principle of the Categorical Imperative, lying could not be a universal law. (30 points)
3.Do you agree with Kant about not lying? Why or why not? (15 points)
4.Under what circumstances, if any, do you believe it would be personally ethical for you to lie? (15 points)
Solution
Morality by Immanuel Kant
Immanuel Kant asserts that morality is vital and it based on the absolute rules and regulations, with which individuals must observe regardless of the circumstances. Kant (1996) suggests that such morals entail the proscription contrary to lying. Essentially, Kant stipulates that values and morals can be gained regardless of lying to one another. As such, individuals must hold on the culture of truthfulness to champion and appreciate the truth.
Conspicuously, no individual is incomparable to the task of not lying despite the conditions at hand. For example, in the case of an angry teacher wanting to punish a student with the involvement of a parent, the parent can openly lie to the teacher to protect the child from the teacher’s fury. This example depicts that individuals cannot stop lying regardless of the magnitude of a problem.
The Categorical Imperative of moral principles suggests that lying is not a universal law. As such, the vital setting in which an individual grows up and the moral values of the environment are the fundamental reasons for this analogy. Arguably, the society plays a crucial role in fostering the moral philosophies and ideologies of individuals as well as the way an individual conducts their lives (Kant & Paton, 2005).
In my opinion, I strongly agree with Kant on his assertions about not lying. The aspect of not lying as mentioned earlier depicts an association with the development of good morals and values. Case in point, our generations to come are obliged with the need to develop good values and morals. Therefore, Kant’s assertions as inevitably the best solution.
Conclusively, if there is a need to lie, I will
assess its outcomes and make a rational decision. As such, if the matter
concerns saving humanity, then that I can lie. For example, I can lie that a
patient is critically ill just to help the life of the individual, as such,
this lie will trigger emergency healthcare
services that will save the life of the patient.
References
Kant, I. (1996). Kant: The Metaphysics of Morals.New York City, NY, United States of America: Cambridge University Press.
Kant, I., & Paton, H. J. (2005). The moral law: groundwork of the metaphysic of morals. New York: Psychology Press.