Do our reasons for doing things matter

Do our reasons for doing things matter

 Determining if the reasons for doing something is a philosophical argument that has received many contributions from various philosophers. Some believe that these reasons matter while other philosophers believe that the level with which they matter is minimal. The subject in the discussion can be subjected to an ethical argument to evaluate the consequences before justifying reasons for doing things matter. This paper provides a discussion on the various arguments that Kant has put forward and my opinion on the claim that our reasons for doing things matter.

Simple ethics require that people do the right things and do it because it is the right thing to do. Additionally, it requires that people should avoid doing the wrong things because they are wrong. It is not possible to justify an action by presenting the good results of the action. In a normal society and general thinking, individuals in society have the moral duty to do the right things. Some ethics that relate to responsibility have established guidelines that tell people that some actions are wrong while others are right. Some actions are wrong because of the bad consequences they cause to an individual or society while others are right because of the good effects that they bring.

According to deontologists, killing innocent people is wrong. Taking something that does not belong to you without the permission of the owner is also wrong. However, what if you are killing someone because he also killed another person. Or what if you are killing in order to prevent other moral wrongs from happening. It is not easy to justify that killing is wrong. Nevertheless, it is necessary to assess the reasons for killing before making a decision and concluding that murder is wrong.

Kant asserts that “a person is a subject whose actions can be imputed to him” (Kant, & Gregor, 2016). In his statement, one can draw various conclusions. It means that an individual has to be responsible and accountable for his or her actions. People have the rationality to choose in doing what is right and what is wrong. Doing the right thing determines the level of respect an individual will command from other people in the same social set -up. an individual has a moral obligation to do the right thing. Various concepts around freedom, dignity, and respect accompany good deeds. Therefore, one can justify the reasons for doing something.

On the concept of personhood, Kant proceeds to assert that “when we impute actions to a person, we regard these actions as the effects of the person’s will.” In this statement, one can easily say that one will only do something if he or she has a good reason to do it. He also argues that rational individuals must have a good idea to perceive and treat humanity as an end. In my opinion, I would consider the right actions before deciding to do something good.

To justify my opinion, I will give various arguments borrowed from the concept of ethics. Ethics requires that human beings do the right thing. Systems that are established based on ethics mainly focus on expressing respect to all humans. Such a basis provides a foundation for making and creating human rights.  Human rights force the entire society to regard the interests of an individual even when it contradicts the interest of others. Kantian philosophy says that some actions are always wrong, no matter the reasons for doing such actions. It doesn’t matter the good consequences that such actions may bring. If they are wrong, then they can never be justified by reasons.

However, Rossian philosophy developed some ethical practices and believed that moderate the Kantian philosophy and way of thinking (Ameriks, 2013). In her idea, she says that some duties should have a balance to fit in our rational way of thinking. Theories based on consequential ethics contribute and bring ideas on the degree of uncertainties in making ethical decisions. Since no one is certain about the consequence of a particular action, then it means it difficult to predict the future and hence challenging to justify some actions with reasons.

On the other hand, ethics based on duty do not face the challenge of uncertainty. If people consider an action right, then they should do it. Nonetheless, if they consider an action wrong, then they should not do it. Ethics has clear guidelines of moral principles that guide the actions of people in society. Therefore, when one has a challenge or finds himself in an ethical or moral dilemma, he should take reasonable considerations of the moral and ethical principles.

Emmanuel Kant also argues favorably on duty-based ethics. In his idea, he though there is a possibility of establishing a system based on moral reason which can guide the actions of all human beings.  Kerstein also adds and says that “the supreme principle of morality would have an extensive scope; one that extended not only to all rational human beings but any other being who might exist- for example, God, angels, and intelligent extraterrestrials.” (Kerstein, 2002). Therefore, Kant’s opinion was that rational beings do not need to depend on God or any other imaginary supreme being to identify and distinguish between the right and the wrong action. Additionally, they should not look for the consequences of the actions to determine if the action is right or wrong. His way of thinking would help to resolve moral dilemmas that people experience in their daily activities.

Kant’s idea of ethics based on duty was established on a categorical imperative. This categorical imperative rule is always right in all circumstances. The will and the mind of an individual while doing an action is what matters (Kant, & Gregor, 2016). However, if someone does an action accidentally, then the action may be overlooked. Kant asserts and says that rational beings exist as an end to themselves. People serve to the end of the aim of what their actions are. If you prefer action, it has two conditions, either good or bad. Therefore, in deciding if the reasons to do something matter or do not matter, it is also necessary to identify the ethical implications for the reason behind doing some things. Therefore, I conclude that the reason, combined with ethical values, matter in justifying an action. Depending on the will of an individual will always prevent one from getting into conflict with his or her actions.

References

Ameriks, K. (2013). Is Practical Justification in Kant Ultimately Do gmatic?. Kant on Practical Justification: Interpretive Essays, 153.

Kant, I., & Gregor, M. J. (2016). Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals. Manitoba Education and Advanced Learning, Alternate Formats.

Kerstein, S (2002) Kant’s Search for the Supreme Principle of Morality, 2002