Sunday, October 12, 2008
Kant Metaphysics of Morals
We have discussed Kant once now and read him twice. So far what we have determined is that contradiction is the key to unlocking Kant's argument. We note that in order for a person two live morally, contradiction must not be part of the person's life. I disagree with Kant, however, that non-contradiction is the only way to finding morality. I say this because a dissection of the term contradiction reveals that it only deals with words. Can we say that words are the only way to achieve morality, or that words can prevent someone from that same goal? I think that there are too many barriers presented by language to assume that contradiction is a reasonable measure for morality. In addition, the spoken word often will deceive a listener as to the true integrity of the speaker. Instead, I propose that only through the actions of a person can we determine morality. I think there is a different form of contradiction that works in this area that we refer to as hypocrisy. We use this term to describe the person who speaks in one manner and acts in another. Even still, I think there is an undefined term that is more pertinent in this area. This undefined characteristic would refer to the person who believes in one thing, and still acts in a manner opposite. This type of person cannot be moral as they would not behave in a manner true to themself, no matter how they speak in public.
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2 comments:
Yep, you have a point. A person can think completely immoral things and be a volunteer at an effin' children's hospital, and no one would know the difference.
I also agree that hypocrisy is a verbal contradiction. I think you can be verbally immoral, however, if you insult others and do things like make racist statements. As soon as an innocent person gets hurt, even with words, the action of the aggressor is immoral.
I think that Kant would fundamentally challenge your claim that contradiction is about words. He isn't concerned with folks voicing contradictions; he's building upon the idea that being a rational person requires that we not willing embrace contradiction which would include not acting on a principle that is, in it's nature, contradictory.
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