Happiness or Duty: Aristotle and Kants Approach on Moral Reason

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Happiness or Duty: Aristotle and Kant’s Approach on Moral Reason

        Both Aristotle and Kant have written teachings dealing with reasoning in ethics. This is as far as the similarity between the two goes. They disagree on what sort of reasoning moral agents should employ when coming to a decision about moral obligations in any particular circumstance. This leads to discussion about Kant’s idea of intention in terms of duty, while Aristotle concentrates on the functions of a moral agent and its virtues. Aristotelian practical reasoning from virtues as means to the final end of human happiness is what sums up moral reason. Although some Kant ideologies are sound, such as his ‘good will as the greatest motivation’ theory, there are variations in the context that appear to weaken his argument. Aristotle’s teachings prove that with the right virtues, there is the chance of practicing the related function of a moral agent. The practice of this function allows the moral individual to achieve happiness, an aspiration of the majority. However, Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, also, contains unstable concepts that do not back his theory. Both thinkers possess some validity but also have flaws. Backing one thinker proves to be a difficult decision. However, Kant’s idea of universal law does not give flexibility to other cultures and societies. Kant imprints a western philosophy which does not correspond with cultures that have not come into contact with the western society he was raised in. Therefore, Aristotle’s basic theory of happiness stretches across many cultures and civilizations, meaning that it is more applicable in general.

        Kant’s Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals revolutionized the way people thought in the late 18th century; many of his ideas have true meaning and need to be acknowledged. He begins with saying “A good will is good not because of what it effects or accomplishes, nor because of its fitness to attain some proposed end; it is good only though its willing, i.e., it is good in itself” (pg. 35, Kant); which tells us that in order for your actions to be moral, it has to be good in itself. Simply put, your intentions are for the sole purpose of making a positive affect. Moving further on, Kant begins to discuss “universal law” which states that one should act in such a way ‘maxim’ can be achieved. Using Kant’s words, “Everyone makes a deceitful promise when he finds himself in difficulty from which he cannot otherwise extract himself” (pg. 13, Kant), implies that universal law cannot contradict itself. Taking Kant’s example, if you lie, you cannot expect someone to believe you; this is not acting in ‘maxim’. Essentially, any intention that a moral agent makes has to be universal to everyone otherwise it does not count as a moral good. Like Kant’s example about lying; if one lies and that is classed as universally valid, then “with such a law there would be no promises at all” (pg. 13, Kant).  Further complimenting Kant’s ideas, his belief that good will is intrinsically good, even if there is not a positive result, is one that is right and stabilizes his ideas. Using a simple example; buying a gift for an individual, where the individual does not like the gift. Although, the outcome was not the desired one, ‘it was the thought that counts’ making it a gesture of good will, rather than bad will.

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        Having agreed with the above thoughts, Kant classes good will as a ‘duty’. Duty can be defined as “the necessity of an action done out of respect for the law” (pg. 13, Kant). This is saying that good will is good if there is no greater motivation. Saying this implies that people do not act with good will for the sake of happiness, which is untrue. Happiness may attend upon acts of good will, but it cannot be a motivating factor. Everyone has a duty to help suffering people; Kant will also agree with this, however, Kant does not agree ...

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