208 final paper

csc 208 final/04 Sample of Kant Code of Ethics.docx

My Code of Ethics

By Immanuel Kant (not really :))

Part I

a) My Philosophy

“At the foundation of [my] system is the doctrine of “transcendental idealism,” which emphasizes a distinction between what we can experience (the natural, observable world) and what we cannot (“supersensible” objects such as God and the soul). [I] argue that we can only have knowledge of things we can experience. Accordingly, in answer to the question, “What can I know?” [I] reply that we can know the natural, observable world, but we cannot, however, have answers to many of the deepest questions of metaphysics.

[My] ethics are organized around the notion of a “categorical imperative,” which is a universal ethical principle stating that one should always respect the humanity in others, and that one should only act in accordance with rules that could hold for everyone. [I] argue that the moral law is a truth of reason, and hence that all rational creatures are bound by the same moral law. Thus in answer to the question, “What should I do?” [I] reply that we should act rationally, in accordance with a universal moral law.

[I] also argued that [my] ethical theory requires belief in free will, God, and the immortality of the soul. Although we cannot have knowledge of these things, reflection on the moral law leads to a justified belief in them, which amounts to a kind rational faith. Thus in answer to the question, “What may I hope?” [I] reply that we may hope that our souls are immortal and that there really is a God who designed the world in accordance with principles of justice.”

(Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, http://www.iep.utm.edu/kantview/)

b) My Procedure

My 1st Formulation of the Categorical Imperative: Act only from moral rules that you can at the same time will to be universal laws. This imperative focuses on the individual. (Kant, 2002; Birsch, 2014)

1. State the ethical issue.

2. Create a maxim—moral rule—based on the ethical issue. This maxim can take the form, “Whenever I am in a situation where I can do (action) in order to achieve (goal), I will.” An alternate form, “I will do something (action) in order to achieve (goal).” Sometimes a maxim that accurately captures the essence of the situation cannot be created, or there are conflicting maxims. This is discussed in the problem section.

3. Universalize the moral maxim created in step 1. This can, but not always, take the form, “Everyone will act this way to achieve what they want to achieve.”

4. Consider whether the maxim could be a universal law for all rational beings. In other words, determine if the universalized maxim self-destructs, is self-defeating, or is a logical contradiction, and state why.

5. State your conclusion: If step 3 indicates the universalization of the maxim self-destructs, is self-defeating, or presents a logical contradiction, the act is unethical.

My 2nd Formulation of the Categorical Imperative: Act so that you always treat both yourself and other people as ends in themselves, and never only as a means to an end. In other words, every action must respect the other person as rational beings. (Kant, 2002; Birsch, 2014)

1. Determine if following the course of action identified as the ethical issue uses someone, i.e., takes advantage of them.

2. Draw a conclusion based on step 1

Results of applying the 1st and 2nd Formulations of the Categorical Imperative:

(If both the 1st and 2nd find the act ethical the act is deemed ethical, else, the act is deemed unethical.) State your conclusion here.

Identify the Perfect and Imperfect Duties

Part II

My Preamble

I returned to the University in 1754 to teach as a Privatdozent, which means that [I] am paid directly by individual students, rather than by the University. [I] published many essays and other short works. [I] made minor scientific contributions in astronomy, physics, and earth science, and wrote philosophical treatises engaging with the Leibnizian-Wolffian traditions of the day (many of these are discussed below). [I] attained the position of Professor of Logic and Metaphysics at Königsberg.

I continue to write philosophical treatises and teach. (Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, http://www.iep.utm.edu/kantview/)

My Code of Ethics

1) Principle 1: I will not use the Internet to plagiarize other philosophers (Note that your principles must address your use of technology).

In order to prove my principle ethical, I will prove the inverse of my principle unethical.

1st Formulation Maxim: Whenever I am in a situation to use the Internet to plagiarize other philosophers, I will. [ rest of the argument here ]

The 1st and 2nd formulations of my categorical imperative found the inverse of my principle unethical. As a result, my principle is found ethical.

The perfect duty is to be honest.

[ rest of code here for the next 6 frameworks, the last one being your own]

References

Aristotle. “Nicomachean Ethics.” The Internet Classics Archive by   

   Daniel C. Stevenson, Web Atomics. Trans. W. D. Ross.        

    classics.mit.edu//Aristotle/nicomachaen.html Accessed January 2017.

   Jonathan Bennett. www.earlymoderntexts.com/authors/bentham Accessed January  2017

… and more