Thus, when an agent performs an action from duty it is because the rational incentives matter to them more than their opposing inclinations. The signal figure for this interpretation of kant is hermann cohen, though it must be conceded that it seems to suggest itself almost immediately to all libertarian skeptics of kantianism. Utilitarianism, kantian ethics, natural rights theories, and religious ethics a utilitarian argument, in the strict sense, is one what alleges that we ought to do something because it will produce more total happiness than doing anything else would. Kantian axiology and the dualism of practical reason ralf m. In this book, allen wood investigates kants conception of ethical theory, using it to develop a viable approach to the rights and moral duties of human beings. Because this principle resonates with currently influential ideals of human rights and dignity, contemporary readers often find it compelling, even if the rest of kants moral philosophy leaves them cold. Many social economists endorse the ethics of immanuel kant, specifically his emphasis on the dignity of humanity and the equal respect due all persons. For kant, ethics are rulebound while all morality derives from essential dignity and the autonomy. Our existence has a different and far nobler end, for which and not for happiness, reason is properly intended, and which must, therefore, be regarded as the supreme condition to which. Legal philosopher jules coleman, in response to an attempt to explain the category of crime in terms of transaction structures, wrote that such a theory has no place for the moral. Things only have instrumental value as a means to an end, people have intrinsic value as ends in themselves kant. For kant, ethics are rulebound while all morality derives from essential dignity and the autonomy of rational human beings.
Early in his account of kantian ethics and economics, white explains his interest by using a quote from the british welfare economist john. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The concept of autonomy and its role within kantian ethics bioethics and autonomy among bioethicists, and perhaps ethicists generally, the idea that we are obliged to respect autonomy is something of a shibboleth. Kantian normative theories abound, but most share a rejection of consequentialist normative principles and an emphasis on the importance of autonomy. Autonomy, dignity, and character 9780804768948 by mark d. Kantian ethics routledge encyclopedia of philosophy. Sorry, we are unable to provide the full text but you may find it at the following locations. The author has upheld the interdisciplinary appeal of the topic, demonstrating an outstanding knowledge of the vast literature on ethics both kantian and not and economics. Overall, there are conceptual issues and uncertainty over whether care and compassion can fit into ethics and moral philosophy. Mainstream economics is rooted in classical utilitarianism. There are two main messages in it that i find particularly important. Virtue ethics is a form of ethical theory which emphasises the character of an agent, rather than specific acts. William irwin skillfully rescues existentialism from the specter of collectivism, with which it never sat easily.
Kantian ethics, economics, and decisionmaking stanford. This book introduces the moral philosophy of immanuel kant. Utilitarianism, kantian ethics, natural rights theories, and. Many think of kants ethical theory in john rawlss apt words not as a morality of austere command but an ethic of mutual. Based on these tenets, kant mandates a social outlook in which concern for others, characterized by negative duties of respect and positive duties of beneficence, are broadly required of all rational agents. Kantian axiology and the dualism of practical reason. By situating the kantian conception of dignity within the wider literature on dignity, he develops an important distinction between status. Kantian autonomy thus offers a framework for contemporary autonomy as emphasized in the essays of hill, ameriks, allison, and sensen. It is this dignity, based on autonomy, that grounds the normative aspects of kants ethics. First, since consequentialist principles may require unacceptable sacrifices of some for the benefit of others. Kantian ethics, dignity and perfection by paul formosa. Firstly, autonomy as the right for one to make their own decisions excluding any interference from others. White, chair of the department of philosophy, college of staten islandcuny, and author of kantian ethics and economics. Kantian ethics criticisms introduction to philosophy.
Autonomy as the ground of morality claremont mckenna college. Moreover, some prominent specialists in kants ethics recently have turned. Kantian autonomy implies the contemporary view of competency, a theory of the dignity of persons, and that competent persons ought to be free from coercion or manipulation. Secondly, autonomy as the capacity to make such decisions through ones own independence of mind and after personal reflection. Kants systematic, critical philosophy centres on an account of reasoning about. This integration allows for a more complete understanding of human choice, incorporating not just preferences and constraints, but also principles and strength of will or character. Dec 17, 2003 we all know what kant means by autonomy. Autonomy as the ground of morality oneil memorial lectures university of new mexico march. Deontological or dutyoriented theories of ethics e. By doing our duty, we do what is valuable not the other way around. It is clearly written, and the author has upheld the interdisciplinary appeal of the topic, demonstrating an outstanding knowledge of the vast literature on ethics both kantian and not and economics. However, when one looks carefully at these and the rest of. Poznat je i po svojim djelima na polju etike, i po tome sto je formulirao kategoricki imperativ. Kantian ethics article about kantian ethics by the free.
Apr 02, 2012 this remarkable book provides a new ethical perspective for economics based on kantian ethics of autonomy and dignity. Kants ethical thought is the direct or indirect source of much that is now standard in normative theories in ethics, political philosophy, and public policy. Integrating kantian ethics affects economics in three important ways. Mar 16, 2015 philosophers have taken diametrically different views on the role of compassion in ethics. In this volume paul formosa sets out a novel approach to kantian ethics as an ethics of dignity by focusing on the formula of humanity as a normative principle distinct from the formula of universal law. Mar 10, 2015 it is this dignity, based on autonomy, that grounds the normative aspects of kants ethics. Elizabeth anscombe criticised modern ethical theories, including kantian ethics, for their obsession with law and obligation. The idea of autonomy in kant those of us who are sympathetic to kantian ethics usually are so because we regard it as an ethics of autonomy, based on rational selfesteem and respect for the. Autonomy as the ground of morality claremont mckenna. White, chair of the department of philosophy, college of staten islandcuny, and author of kantian ethics and. This book introduces the moral philosophy of immanuel kantin particular, the concepts of autonomy, dignity, and characterto economic. Philosophers have taken diametrically different views on the role of compassion in ethics.
Mainstream economics has long struggled with crime, an intrinsically moralized area of law that resists attempts to reduce all goals and motivations within it to considerations of efficiency. Once we recognize the equal dignity of all persons. The fundamentals of ethics, the kantian perspective. The theory, developed as a result of enlightenment rationalism, is based on the view that the only intrinsically good thing is a good will. By remaining closer to kants own view of the aims of ethics, woods understanding of kantian ethics differs from the received constructivist interpretation, especially on such matters as the ground and function of. Drawing on kants conception of duty, this chapter incorporates deontological. Act utilitarianism au is the moral theory that holds that the morally right action, the act. First, mark white derives from kant the idea of irreducible moral principles that govern the behavior of economic agents independently of welfarist and, more. Kantian ethics refers to a deontological ethical theory ascribed to the german philosopher immanuel kant.
According to many kantians, consequentialism is inadequate for two related reasons. Strengths of kantian ethics universal can be applied to all situations based on reason accessible to everyone gives human intrinsic worth not bias. The humanity formulation of kants categorical imperative demands that we treat humanity as an end in itself. Autonomy, dignity and character by mark white isbn. Once we recognize the equal dignity of all persons, autonomy takes on moral content and becomes a.
Kant on respect, dignity, and the duty of respect oxford. Essays on kant s ethics, and especially on respect for persons. A kantianeconomic approach to altruism in the household nature. Pdf on jan 1, 2012, stefano solari and others published kantian ethics and economics. Kantian ethics originates in the ethical writings of immanuel kant 17241804, which remain the most influential attempt to vindicate universal ethical principles that respect the dignity and equality of human beings without presupposing theological claims or a metaphysical conception of the good. According to the kantian, what are really good or bad are not the consequences of our actions, but the actions themselves. Appeals to autonomy are commonly put to work to support legal and moral claims about the importance of consent. Handbook of economics and ethics, jan peil and irene van staveren eds the illusion of wellbeing. Autonomy, dignity, and character find, read and cite all the. The concept of autonomy and its role in kantian ethics. Aug 29, 2015 william irwin skillfully rescues existentialism from the specter of collectivism, with which it never sat easily. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools.
The feminist economics of trade, irene van staveren et al. Kantian ethics and economics stanford university press. White and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. It is a familiar theme that kant bequeathed to modern moral thought the doctrine that all rational beings or persons have a dignity that makes them equally worthy of respect.
This book introduces the moral philosophy of immanuel kant in particular, the concepts of autonomy, dignity, and character to economic theory, explaining the importance of integrating these two streams of intellectual thought. Kant wished to move beyond the conception morality as externally imposed duties and present an ethics of autonomy, when rational agents freely recognise the claims reason makes upon them. Citation prepared by the library and information services group of the kennedy institute of ethics, georgetown university for the ethxweb database. Why and how is compassion necessary to provide good quality. The choice between consequentialist and kantian ethics is a dif. Value of humanity in kants moral theory oxford scholarship.
Frequently this characterization is put forward based on kants most familiar ethical writings, groundwork and the critique of practical reason. However, when one looks carefully at these and the rest of kants corpus, a. Why and how is compassion necessary to provide good. A kantianeconomic approach to altruism in the household. Economic policymaking based on respect and responsiveness, mark d. Kantian ethics main concepts introduction to philosophy. Ethics rs religious studies revision section covering kantian ethics, immanuel kant, good will and duty, the categorical imperative, the summum bonum, three postulates of pure practical reason, strengths of kantian ethics and weaknesses of kantian ethics. This remarkable book provides a new ethical perspective for economics based on kantian ethics of autonomy and dignity. Kant on the theory and practice of autonomy cambridge core.
923 514 1356 842 256 1124 1520 1009 1505 308 332 1167 1330 861 254 179 1437 736 692 1503 667 1439 1085 817 96 1077 589 664