Kant On Moral Values Essay Samples

The following paper will address the question, “According to Kant, why can the moral value of an action not lie in the consequences?” This question is one that must be read and re-read to fully comprehend. The goal of the essay is to explain Kant’s justification for the statement of the value of a moral action being independent of the resulting consequences. Kantian philosophy emphasizes that universality must be used when asking oneself whether something is moral or immoral. Therefore in Kant’s view not all moral value will result in a specific or predictable consequence, but the intention would still remain moral so long as it was coming from sincere duty to what is right.
Next, one must understand Kant’s basis for what is morally right or good, which is established through his belief of maxims though have to apply universally. What does this mean exactly? For example, if a man thought it was acceptable to cheat on his wife, it would only be an accurate or valid statement if it applied to all people universally, which means he supports his wife’s right to cheat on him as well. Common sense would tell you that in most monogamous relationships this maxim would not be morally acceptable because it contradicts nature. Now to give an example of what Kant would deem a universal maxim would be that one must use his or her free will to act in accord with one’s duty for something to truly be moral. To further understand the concept better, imagine education to be equally provided to all students across the globe not just to expand or elevate one’s civilization, but simply because it is something that is for the good of the individual and can be applied universally. Any attempt at educating students around the world that comes strictly from one’s duty to teach would be a moral action regardless of the outcome of how well the student’s respond. In this situation, the moral action of teaching remained independent of the outcome of the student’s ability to enjoy, understand, or even reject the educational experience.
There are many occasions in life and various situations where one’s moral duty does not always result in good or right results, which further confirm that Kant believes that the moral value of an action does not necessarily lie in its consequences. To take it a step further into Kantian philosophy, the student of Kant would say that if duty was observed and actions were performed with this duty in mind, then regardless of the outcome the actual action based on duty when now become the ends rather than the means to an end. After all, Kant was a staunch believer in always treating one’s fellow human being as an “end” rather than a “means to an end” because it is wrong or immoral to use an individual for one’s agenda because there may be a lack of categorical imperatives that would allow the maxim to be universal, therefore violating the free will of the person who being used as a sort of “tool.”
The fascinating thing about Kant’s philosophy was his commitment to duty that could be measured as a categorical imperative that would establish whether an action was one that could apply universally to each human on the planet. Instead of the utilitarian philosophy of maximizing one’s happiness or pleasure as being the greatest good, Kant opposed all actions that were based on fulfilling one’s sensory needs. Because of this position his priority was always set on where is the intention of the action coming from- a place that could apply to all or would only fulfill the needs of a select few. As difficult as this may be to understand, if one had to steal from another to feed one’s family, then the individual has not done a good or moral deed even though the result would be that his family no longer goes hungry, the violation of another’s property or free will was utilized as a means to an end. Kant would only be able to support or honor the individual who found an ethical manner in which to ensure his family was fed rather than taking from another even if the “other” had more than enough goods.
In reviewing the concept of the value of a moral action not lying in the consequences, Kant’s philosophy must be fully understood to clearly comprehend the statement. Kant was more interested in the actual nature or intention of the individual as coming from a place of duty as a priority versus focusing on doing whatever is necessary for a given outcome. He did not care as much about the outcome so much as he did about the reason for the actions being based in one’s duty that would be exercised by free will. In conclusion, referring back to his position on treating the individual as the end rather than a means to an end is what is most important for a moral society.