ESSAY: Kantian Perspective

Competency

Apply duty-based ethical theories to contemporary moral issues.

Instructions

In this research-based assessment, you will be applying a Kantian perspective to a contemporary moral issue. Current contemporary moral issues range from genetic engineering to issues related to the use of torture in wartime. For this assessment you will need to research contemporary moral issues and select one that will be the focus of your paper as you apply the Kantian perspective. Once you select your moral issue, you will need to address the following in a properly formatted research paper.

• Explain what duty is according to Kant and how this view differs from other senses of duty.
• Describe the relationship between a good will and duty for Kant.
• Differentiate the two formulations of the Categorical Imperative.
• How do these formulations apply to your selected contemporary moral issue?
• Using the foundation of Kant’s moral theory explain how there is a moral duty for your selected contemporary moral issues.
• Express your view as a maxim.
• How feasible is it to universalize your maxim?
• How does your maxim fulfill/satisfy each of these formulations?
• Grading Rubric
•  

0	0	80	90	100
No Pass	No Pass	Competence	Proficiency	Mastery
Not Submitted	An inadequate or inappropriate explanation of what duty is according to Kant and how this view differs from other senses of duty	Explains what duty is according to Kant and how this view differs from other senses of duty with supporting information.	Explains what duty is according to Kant and how this view differs from other senses of duty with strong supporting information.	Explains what duty is according to Kant and how this view differs from other senses of duty with well-integrated, strong supporting information.
Not Submitted	An inadequate or inappropriate description of the relationship between a good will and duty for Kant.	Describes with generalities the relationship between a good will and duty for Kant.	Adequately describes the relationship between a good will and duty for Kant.	Thoroughly describes the relationship between a good will and duty for Kant.
Not Submitted	An inadequate or inappropriate differentiation of the two formulations of the Categorical Imperative	Differentiates the two formulations of the Categorical Imperative with basic information.	Differentiates the two formulations of the Categorical Imperative with strong supporting information.	Differentiates the two formulations of the Categorical Imperative in strong detail and supporting information.
Not Submitted	Incorrectly identifies a contemporary moral issue and/or An inadequate or inappropriate discussion of how these formulations apply to the selected issue.	Correctly identifies a contemporary moral issue and discusses how these formulations apply to the selected issue with basic supporting information.	Correctly identifies a contemporary moral issue and discusses how these formulations apply to the selected issue with supporting information.	Correctly identifies a contemporary moral issue and thoroughly discusses how these formulations apply to the selected issue in strong detail and supporting information.
Not Submitted	An inadequate or inappropriate explanation of, using the foundation of Kant’s moral theory, how there is a moral duty for the selected issue.	Explains, using the foundation of Kant’s moral theory, how there is a moral duty for the selected issue with strong supporting evidence.	Explains, using the foundation of Kant’s moral theory, how there is a moral duty for the selected issue with supporting evidence.	Explains, using the foundation of Kant’s moral theory, how there is a moral duty for the selected issue with strong supporting evidence.
Not Submitted	Incorrectly creates a maxim And/or An inadequate or inappropriate explanation of how feasible is it to universalize the maxim.	Creates an applicable maxim with a sufficient explanation as to how feasible is it to universalize the maxim.	Creates an applicable maxim with a detailed explanation as to how feasible is it to universalize the maxim.	Creates an applicable maxim with a thorough and detailed explanation as to how feasible is it to universalize the maxim.
Not Submitted	An inadequate or inappropriate explanation of how maxim fulfill/satisfy each of the formulations.	Explains how maxim fulfill/satisfy each of the formulations with basic supporting evidence.	Explains how maxim fulfill/satisfy each of the formulations with supporting evidence.	Explains how maxim fulfill/satisfy each of the formulations with strong supporting evidence.

ANSWER

Kantian Perspective

A contemporary moral issue is an issue in which people have decided to have a particular direction and try to force others to believe in that perspective. Abortion is a contemporary moral issue given that some entities like the laws feel that they have the right to tell people what they can or cannot do. However, healthcare providers continue to do abortions regardless of the laws disallowing the act (Bowen & Prescott, 2015).

Kant’s View

Kant began not with pressure or pain, but with the fact that human beings’ distinguishing aspect is our possession of reason. He states that human beings have universal rational obligations to each other, focusing on their obligation to respect the humanity of others.  According to Kant, human nature should be seen as inherently worthy of dignity and respect. He articulated that morality must be based on such duties as a duty rooted in deontological ethics. He terms consequences like pressure or pains aren’t relevant (Orend, 2016). Kant’s perspective differs from other models like utilitarianism in that the latter aims at a goal of best consequences, while Kant’s model holds that people should do the right thing, regardless of the consequences being negative.

Kant articulates that no consequence holds a fundamental moral worth; however, goodwill is the only thing that is good and unique. The concept of goodwill freely chooses to do its moral obligation. However, that duty is solely founded on a precise reason (Bowen & Prescott, 2015). Therefore, goodwill involves an individual’s free will, which is purely motivated by a purpose. Since the dictates of a cause do not allow exceptions, moral duty is therefore considered as absolute (Orend, 2016).

Kant’s formulations of categorical imperative provide us with a procedure for identifying the moral status of specific actions (Sticker, 2017). The formula of the law of nature is the first formulation (Orend, 2016). Although the two formulations bear some differences, they both apply to the contemporary issue in this paper. First, the laws of abortion tend to act as though their will is a universal law of nature. In this way, these laws tend to protect the life of the mother as well as that of the unborn child (Sticker, 2017).  Secondly, abortion law does not treat people as objects, instead acknowledges people’s dignity and values them. Here, the moral duty is whether the woman wants to give birth or not, despite the consequences. A maxim can be viewed as a concise expression of critical moral principles, whether subjective and objective, in relation to a person’s knowledge. In most cases, a maxim is pedagogical and triggers particular actions. For example, one can evaluate whether a maxim of lying to get a loan is moral through universalizing i…