Posted: June 14th, 2023

Kantian Perspective

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 assignment as you apply the Kantian perspective. Once you select your moral issue, you will need to address the following in a properly formatted research assignment.

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
Ensure that you use credible academic sources, and cite them properly.

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In this assessment, we will be exploring the Kantian perspective on a contemporary moral issue. Kantian ethics is a deontological ethical theory that emphasizes duty and moral obligation. According to Kant, moral actions are those that are performed out of a sense of duty, rather than personal inclination or desire. Kant believed that moral principles are universal and that moral actions should be performed out of respect for these principles, rather than based on their consequences. In this assessment, we will be exploring how the Kantian perspective applies to a contemporary moral issue of our choice.

Contemporary Moral Issue:

The selected contemporary moral issue for this assessment is the use of autonomous weapons in warfare. Autonomous weapons are self-directed weapons that can identify and engage targets without human intervention. The development and use of autonomous weapons pose significant ethical concerns, including the potential loss of human control over lethal force, accountability for the actions of autonomous weapons, and the potential for unintended harm to non-combatants.

Kantian Perspective:

Duty:

According to Kant, duty is a moral obligation that is binding on all rational beings. Duty is the basis of moral action and is derived from the rational nature of human beings. Kant believed that moral duties are categorical imperatives that apply to all rational beings, regardless of their individual preferences or desires. Duty, for Kant, is not contingent on the consequences of an action but rather on the intention behind the action.

Good Will:

Kant believed that the only intrinsic good is a good will. A good will is the will to do what is right, regardless of the consequences. A good will is motivated by duty and the desire to do what is morally right, rather than by personal desires or inclinations. For Kant, a good will is the only thing that is inherently good, and all other goods are only good insofar as they are used to support the good will.

Categorical Imperative:

Kant’s moral theory is based on the Categorical Imperative, which is a universal moral principle that applies to all rational beings. There are two formulations of the Categorical Imperative:

The Formula of Universal Law: “Act only according to that maxim by which you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law.”

The Formula of Humanity: “Act so that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in that of another, always as an end and never as a means only.”

Application to Autonomous Weapons:

The use of autonomous weapons in warfare raises significant ethical concerns, including the loss of human control over lethal force and the potential for unintended harm to non-combatants. Applying the Kantian perspective, we can see that the use of autonomous weapons violates the Formula of Humanity. Using autonomous weapons treats other human beings as means to an end rather than as ends in themselves. Additionally, the development and use of autonomous weapons are not universalizable, as they violate the Formula of Universal Law. If everyone were to use autonomous weapons, the result would be chaos and the loss of human life.

Moral Duty:

Using the foundation of Kant’s moral theory, we can see that there is a moral duty to prohibit the development and use of autonomous weapons in warfare. This duty is derived from the Formula of Humanity and the Formula of Universal Law. By treating other human beings as ends in themselves, rather than means to an end, we uphold their inherent value and dignity. Additionally, by universalizing the prohibition of autonomous weapons, we ensure that human life is protected and that chaos and loss of life are avoided.

Maxim:

The maxim for this issue can be stated as follows: “I will not support the development or use of autonomous weapons in warfare, as doing so violates the inherent value and dignity of human life.”

Universalization:

The maxim is universalizable, as it up