Theory Of Morality As A System Of Hypothetical Imperatives...

Circular Reasoning in Foot’s Moral System In â€Å"Morality as a System of Hypothetical Imperatives†, Philippa Foot argues against Immanuel Kant, that morality exists in hypothetical imperatives rather than categorical imperatives. For Kant, categorical imperatives alone serve as moral commands, and it would be impossible for a moral system to be based on hypothetical imperatives because such imperatives serve as means to ends and result from maxims that cannot be universalized into perfect duties. Despite this, Foot holds that acting on many hypothetical imperatives can be morally praiseworthy and can even serve as the basis of moral judgments. Although I agree with Foot that hypothetical imperatives can have moral worth, in this paper, I will argue that a morality based on the purposes that hypothetical imperatives are directed toward appears to be circular. To do this, I will explain Foot’s theory of how morality is known and binds. Then, I will argue that this theory is insufficient to explain the moral pur pose that hypothetical imperatives must be directed toward, thus begging the question of what is the moral basis of the purpose directed toward in the hypothetical imperative. To base morality on a system of hypothetical imperatives, Foot begins by explaining Kant’s distinction between hypothetical and categorical imperatives. According to Kant, a hypothetical imperative can be contrasted with a categorical imperative in that it commands an â€Å"action that is good to someShow MoreRelatedThe Flaws Of Foots Moral System Essay1519 Words   |  7 PagesFoots Moral System In â€Å"Morality as a System of Hypothetical Imperatives,† Philippa Foot argues that moral judgments are in hypothetical imperatives rather than categorical imperatives. For Kant, categorical imperatives are actions that are good in themselves and do not depend on desires, while, hypothetical imperatives are â€Å"actions that are good to some purpose† (306). According to Foot, hypothetical imperatives alone serve as the basis of moral judgments because categorical imperatives give us noRead MoreKantian Ethics vs. Utilitarianism1714 Words   |  7 Pages has found its place in the construction of many systems of morality such as John Stuart Mill’s theory of Utilitarianism. In teleological approaches to morality, questions of right and wrong, or the notion what an individual ought to do, are determined by the consequences of a given action. One thinker to reject this idea of consequentialism was Immanuel Kant. In his Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, K ant endeavors to establish a system of ethics that has no trace of the empirical natureRead MoreEthics Theory And Virtue Ethical Theory1398 Words   |  6 PagesI would begin by saying my discussions will be centered on two intriguing theories I have learnt through this course deontology ethical theory and Virtue ethical theory. To my understanding, deontology theory takes on the face of a normative ethical position that judges the morality of an action based totally on regulations, rules and laws. The theory is far on occasion described as responsibility- or duty- or rule- based totally ethics, due to the fact that it emphasizes on guidelines bindingRead MoreUtilitarianism And Its Moral Value1389 Words   |  6 PagesUtilitarianism is a theory that delineates the bounds of morality with respect to actions taken by individuals in terms of what produces the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number of people. The principle seeks to define first the morality of an action, allowing for the morality of a person to be derived based on the intent behind the respective action. The fundamentals of a person’s morality are then presented in a form that labels the person behind a morally defined action as eitherRead MoreOn Utilitarianism and Kantian Ethics 1681 Words   |  7 Pages1. Introduction There is little doubt that Utilitarianism and Kantian Ethics are by far the two most important ethical theories throughout contemporary philosophy. Though both attempt to answer questions about morality and behavior, the two theories have many fundamental differences: one evaluates actions in terms of the utility they produce whereas the other considers whether actions fulfill duty; one emphasizes consequence where the other highlights intentions; one sees desire as essential whileRead MoreJustification for Kant’s Moral and Ethical Views in A Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals1639 Words   |  7 Pagesaimed to establish an absolute system of morality based upon reason. Kant’s conceptions regarding what is moral and how someone should behave ethically, are often seen as contradictions to those proposed by Hume, who holds an empirical stance. As mentioned, Kant emphasizes the necessity of basing morality on a priori principles; he puts faith in the power of human r ationality and believed that reason alone, not feeling, is a key to advancing human morality. An ethical system based upon reason would provideRead More Kant and Morality Essay595 Words   |  3 Pages Kant had a different ethical system which was based on reason. According to Kant reason was the fundamental authority in determining morality. All humans possess the ability to reason, and out of this ability comes two basic commands: the hypothetical imperative and the categorical imperative. In focusing on the categorical imperative, in this essay I will reveal the underlying relationship between reason and duty. The categorical imperative suggests that a course of action must be followedRead MoreThe Metaphysic Of Morals By Immanuel Kant1199 Words   |  5 Pagesman’s attempt to figure out what is right or wrong, they have developed a number of systems that purportedly deal with such matters. Immanuel Kant expanded on his moral philosophy in his work, Groundwork for the Metaphysic of Morals. This paper will be a reflection upon Kantian ethical principles presented therein and their relation to what is generally called morality. People have tried to understand and define morality for thousands of years. It is and has been a complex issue that seems to elude simpleRead MoreAdelphia Communications Scandal1563 Words   |  7 Pagessecond issue concerns the conduct or activities performed by Rigas family. The first ethical issue A company’s external editor is mandated with assessing a public company’s ability to accurately institute internal financial reporting structure and systems as well as evaluating the company to ensure that that there are no loopholes that mischievous individuals can use to fraud the company (Lowenstein, 2004). Shareholders and the public place their trust on the external auditor in revealing mischievousRead MoreEthics : Ethics And Morality1478 Words   |  6 PagesEthics Paper In my organization, the ethical system used is egoism. Egoism exists in the normative realm of ethics and morality and explains what should be in an organization (WK 2, L1). This idea of should is used to express a distinct moral connotation (WK 2, L1), but this is where egoism complicates the concept of the normative domain. As was stated previously, within the normative sphere we find ethics and morality; and although many believe these terms to be interchangeable, they are actually