Introduction to Immanuel Kant’s Theory of Deontology

Christian J McGinley, Essay #3, pg. 282-319, Question #12 on pg. 303 In chapter six of the textbook titled The Moral of the Story we are introduced to Immanuel Kant’s theory of deontology. This theory is one that deals with moral obligations and refers to the decisions that rational beings make when deciding if an action can be accepted through the process of the categorical imperative or not. There are many factors that contribute to this belief however there is also a long list of flaws that play a crucial role in determining whether this theory is one that we can be held accountable or not. In this essay I will evaluate and analyze the statements provided to me at the end of the chapter that deal specifically with Immanuel Kant’s test on the categorical imperative as well as the concept of â€Å"a means to an end†. In the first set of questions listed at the end of chapter six I was encountered with a statement from Emmanuel Kant that revolved around the topic of â€Å"good will†. Kant read, â€Å"Actions are morally good only if they are done because of a good will† What Kant is saying is that consequences don’t make an action morally good, but on the other hand, good will does. Kant describes good will as a respect for the moral law expressed through ones intentions (Rosenstand, 283). The person must imagine his intentions to be a good thing for all people to practice in general, not because it will make people happy, but rather for the reason being that it is the basic principalShow MoreRelatedEssay about Business Ethics and Kant1466 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction The purpose of this paper is to discuss how Adelphia Communications’ leadership, particularly the Rigas family, violated the trust of the public and its investors through unethical and illegal business practices. First, a synopsis of the Adelphia scandal will be presented. Next, a brief overview of ethics and how they apply to maintaining good business and public trust will be discussed. 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Aristotle s The Kindest Cut - 1808 Words

Aristotle was amongst the first known philosophers to examine morality and conduct. In fact, his approach and perspective towards ethical practice and happiness was perhaps the most influential moral philosophy up until perhaps Immanuel Kant. As such, Aristotle’s moral philosophical approach can be used to examine and understand ethical practices and behaviors. The particular ethical practice that will be examined in this essay will be that of Paul Wagner, the fictional character featured in Larissa Macfarquhar’s The Kindest Cut . Through an analysis of Aristotelian and Kantian ethics and Wagner’s behavior, this essay will seek to identify and understand the moral worth of Wagner’s actions. First however, a concise and relevant summary of†¦show more content†¦He believed that this flourishment often occurred gradually not as a result of physical pleasure and enjoyment, but as a result of developing the mind and soul in accordance with perfect vir tue (Nic. Ethics I 7).Therefore, it is by practicing virtuous activities and living virtuously that it is possible for one to flourish and develop their happiness. Unlike happiness, virtue is not an activity, but a disposition and a state of being. More precisely, it is a disposition to behave in the right manner. In Aristotle’s description, virtues are the â€Å"means† and intermediate states between what he considers vicious states (excess and deficiency). In other words, they are the moderation of desiring too much and desiring too little. For example, the state of being courageous is considered a virtuous disposition because it moderates the states of being cowardly (deficit) and rash (excess). Furthermore, Aristotle describes the virtuous person as one whose passions and deliberation are aligned; someone whose possession of goodness allows their acts to be guided by the balance of their â€Å"means† and their rationality. This means that to achieve a virtuous state one has to consistently aim for the â€Å"mean† of their actions to the point where it’s instinctive. (Nic. Ethics II 6). To Aristotle, possessing all the right virtues by allowing virtuous activities to take

Dick Gregory Rhetorical Devices free essay sample

In Dick Gregory’s Not Poor, Just Broke the use of rhetorical strategies are established to further entice the reader. Within the short excerpt, Gregory gives sensory details and real life experiences that convey emotion and express feelings which in turn interest the reader. Gregory’s use of rhetorical strategies makes it easy to place one’s self in his childhood shoes, and therefore connects to the sentiments of the audience. When analyzing this piece it is evident that through tone, authorial bias, and purpose Dick Gregory’s work captivates an audience of many different racial backgrounds and upbringings. With his tone, Gregory establishes a somber or serious type of mood. Although the mood is solemn, the audience is not saddened by his racist troubles and harsh upbringing. Instead, Gregory impresses the reader with his values and morals. As the title suggest, he is rich within himself but broke compared to society’s standard. We will write a custom essay sample on Dick Gregory Rhetorical Devices or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page He directly tells the reader â€Å"I guess she couldn’t see a kid who made noises because he wanted someone to know he was there. † The childhood Gregory is feeling broken down, defeated, and invisible within his own skin. The childhood Gregory feels as if he has something to offer inside; he wants to feel like someone is there behind the color of his skin, and stereotypes placed upon him. Gregory incorporates many innuendos that hint that he is not as fortunate compared to his â€Å"light-complected† counterpart. He says, â€Å"And she had a Daddy, and he had a good job. † Everything that he lacked as a young, black male is everything that people on the opposite end of the color spectrum had. That was, everything that Gregory developed a longing desire for. However, Gregory is biased due to his lack of. As a black male in a seemingly racist society, he is not given the equal chance of a lighter skin parallel. Due to being â€Å"pregnant with poverty,† Gregory’s wants are shifted toward a happier, wealthier life. What he fails to realize is although his white peer may have a father figure or money, she may not possess the same rich moral values as does he. Gregory uses purpose to inform and persuade the audience that being broke in finances does not make you broke in morality or significance. His main message is that you can defy the odds placed upon you. He was not suspected to be â€Å"married and making money. † Instead he was designated to be a â€Å"troublemaker† due to the color of his skin. Gregory tells the reader that despite his rough upbringing, he had a more successful future. He indirectly told the reader not to let society change who you are on the inside or dictate what you can become. Through his use of tone, authorial bias, and purpose Dick Gregory engaged and captivated many audiences within Not Poor, Just Broke. He expressed feelings, and emotion of a young, black male living in a racist world. His utilization of rhetorical strategies, such as firsthand experience made it easier to relate to exactly what he was going through.