Philosophy: Normative Ethics: Strengths&Weaknesses of Kant

[dantean]

At first blush, I want to say that these are ideas far too important to be raced through at the pace at which the obviously very intelligent speaker so does. It's not a rap video, after all (I don't assume). Thank you for posting, though.

[Salieri325]

For the love of a morally depraved society and all things that are unholy, please, PLEASE, stop butchering Kantian philosophy! Kindly remove your cleaver from his back, wench! May I offer some advice? Learn how to correctly pronounce his name before you depreciate the value and gravity of his applied terms...

[downbytheharbour]

I wish I could take philosophy for A Level. What did you take for A levels? I don't know if you'll see this because this video is 2 years old, but I'll ask it anyway. :)

[Hythloday71]

I disagree with your idea that Kantianism completely ignores consequences. I believe in identifying our obligations we have identified our core moral beliefs. Assuming and understanding these values it becomes self evident that to ignore these formulations is to end up with worse consequences. You are correct about the problem of conflicting instances where we have no guidance from Kant. But to me, it is also self evident that in this case we must be Utilatarian.

[Hythloday71]

Your critique of Kants law is pointing out difficulties with formulating the correct Universal interpretation of a given problem. It is difficult, but i don't think u have delivered knock down blows because whilst u may not be able to give a correct universalised form, doesn't mean one can't. Will have to watch again, but would be interested if u have time to reply on a conundrum that u might like to offer as particularly troubling... otherwise excellent vids.....

[dbrooks12009]

You explained this in an easy to understand way; This made all the material I had studied come to life. I read the chapters, took notes, followed the guided learning package and study guide, took a prep exam, than took the real exam. I still needed someone to explain this stuff to me in a down to earth way to get better understanding. Thank you so much. I passed my Ethics & Theory In Application final exam with an A. :)

[SammyStefani]

oh meh guhhhh,

i'm soo gonna pass now.

x

[kkiiji]

Never liked kant's categorical imperative, even if they are self consistent, they appear to have no basis. Perhaps his "thing in itself" ideas really just show that we can't be talking about trascending metaphysical features or deontological moral laws, for it's impossible for these transcending things to be relevant to us(the creatures who can't get outside themselves).

By the way you are so hot when you speak sweet meta-ethical nothings into my ears, through youtube.

[fpss1973]

Got your reply. Your notes and your textbooks are incorrect. Never trust commentators. Most of them have their own agenda. Go to Kant's texts first. In those two I told you about you will find what you think is missing.

Best regards.

[fpss1973]

Very common misreading. The formality of the categorical imperative is only HALF the story. Kant says explicitly that humans cannot act without considering the consequences. Ignoring the consequences on actions is only a methodological way of determining the FORM of morality. Those who insist on Kant's formalism have no idea of what they are talking about. Read Kant's Anthropology and the Metaphysics of Morals before saying enormities like "Kant contradicts himself".

[missxrojas]

That seems to be where the AS Philosophy course failed me because many people have corrected me on it yet it's what's in my notes and examination board issued textbooks! Thanks for letting me know, it really helps.

[gopidravid]

ur nice ;)

[bushfingers]

What is the right thing to do when the gunman asks for your friend's address? Don't say anything. You meet Kant's requirements for moral behaviour, and you save your friend.

I think Kant is generally misunderstood. But that's because I don't understand him.

[chunkymonky218]

Awesome video! Apparently, after a student found faulty logic within Kant's Inaugural Dissertation, he didn't publish again for the next decade because he was so deeply impacted by the fact that he may have needed to rethink such a great portion of his philosophy. It's true that even the great thinkers don't have all of the answers!

Anyway you are probably almost done with your freakishly hard exams, so woo hoo!

[djcamcorder]

not only are you sooooooooooooooo beautiful, but you're smart too!

[amanualgearbox]

your waaaay too clever

[musicalcolin]

also, it may be cloathed in secular language, but the idea that we our judged by our intentions and that we strive to achieve a perfect moral law is actually quite religious.

Yeesh, sorry for all the comments. It got me thinking though.

[musicalcolin]

and not built out of actualities.

3. I may be biased, but this is much more fun than glaciers. Not that I don't love giant mountains of ice.

[musicalcolin]

1. I think that your specific criticism of Kant is problematic. Kant doesn't deny that there is an empirical aspect to ethics. In fact once a maxim has been universalized, whether it is appropriate to the specific context is an empirical question. Applicability is not universalizable because it is context specific.

2. I think the larger problem with Kantianism is that it assumes an ideal moral agent (which Kant says is unacheivable) thus ethical actions become based in potentialities

[treehamallama]

Youuuu sound smart...perhaps you are..perhaps you are.......... ;]

[bookwormchris]

Ah Kant, I still remember a bit of his works from my Biotech and Society Cluster.

[Johnjy2]

Looks like you're working very hard for your exams!

been having As's at the moment, had my last exam today!! =]

good luck!

John

[hellotwat]

ok sorry i just watched it.

ignore comment below.

[hellotwat]

ohh jeess i thought it would be your opinions on philosiphhyy..not just a way to pass examss..maybe soon?

when pressure is over.

[rhiannonmei]

Huh. This really makes me think about philosophy and these subjects. It makes me want to look up Kant. I think I will xD. You're very articulate :).

[Katiethecloud]

kant? I have never heard of it.../him/whatever it is

lol, when I was in school all we learned about was christianity and judiasim lol

[missxrojas]

Him! He's called Immanuel Kant.

Some schools pick to do Philosophy of Religion but mine picked Ethics, obviously :)

[LoveCraken]

You could keep reminding me of how much my own school sucks, or you could just, you know, get high and sing me a song or something. Just a thought.

[missxrojas]

Trust me, it's for your own benefit that I don't sing!

[ajgenius]

It is always interesting seeing Kant's failures. In his "The Only Possible Ground of Proof for a Demonstration of God's Existence" it is amazing how often he contradicts his own frameworks of Logic as it progresses.

The first section is mostly reasonable, but his logic progressively builds on odd assumptions and irrational presuppositions, till by the end it is quite insupportable.

[missxrojas]

It's slightly excruciating because you always start off thinking he's accurate about a point and then he just divebombs into a hole of general circularity and irrationality. Pshh.

[Matban92]

first?

[k8iBell]

I totally agree.