Organized Being in Kant’s Groundwork for the Metaphysics...

Kants argument that good will is the supreme purpose of mans existence based on observations of the influence that reason exerts on the will is inconsistent with what may be observed in nature. It presupposes an intentional cosmos wherein an organized beings purpose, and thus its standard of value, can be extracted from an examination of its constitution and faculties. While this presupposition is logically consistent with the rest of Kants moral theory it does not coincide with what we can actually observe in nature. The following essay will examine, one, the idea of an organized being, secondly, why Kant proposes it, then we will contrast this idea with what we observe, and finally, analyse the extent of the harm done to the†¦show more content†¦Kant proposes that the distinction of purposes between reason and instinct is apparent because if mans sole purpose was his own well-being then the only factor that nature would allow to leverage his will would be instinct, the desires and inclinations thereof being entirely sufficient for that end. However, that man must have some other purpose beyond his own happiness is evident from the influence that reason exerts on the will. If mans object were his happiness alone then should reason have been communicated to this favoured creature ...it must only have served it to contemplate the happy constitution of its nature...but not that it should subject its desires to that weak and delusive guidance and meddle bunglingly with the purpose of nature. (6) Reason, in Kants view, could not have been intended by nature as an auxiliary for enhancing mans pursuit of happiness. He points out his observation that those who attempt to employ reason in pursuit of this end often achieve results contrary to it. So long as we do not doubt the capacity of reason to compel man to set aside his inclinations we must also accept that nature has intended him for a secondary purpose as well. Otherwise, Nature would not only have taken on herself the choice of the ends, butShow MoreRelatedKant s Categorical Imperative And Morality1297 Words   |  6 Pagespeople in general, from the bounds of a religious authority or moral absolute to judge them. Working during the Enlightenment, he contributed to the flow of similarly progressive ideas during this pivotal era in human development and knowledge. Brought about by his deeply religious upbringing and social environment, Kant’s categorical imperative was an attempt to rationalize religion, a central goal of the Enlightenment. Immanuel Kant’s upbringing certainly affected his thoughts on religion and moralityRead MoreImmanuel Kants View on Human Nature and the Relationship between Nations2105 Words   |  8 Pagesï » ¿Immanuel Kants View on Human Nature and Relationship between Nations Immanuel Kant (1724 1804) was born in Kaliningrad in East Prussia. Kant spent his working life there and also produced work on various subject matters including ethics metaphysics, epistemology, aesthetics etc. He published his three famous critiques and wrote on religion, eternal peace and politics. All of the above, Kant was the philosopher of human autonomy. He was of the view that human beings can determine and manageRead MoreThe Legality, Morality, and Social Responsibility of the Affordable Care Act and Florida Blue.5116 Words   |  21 Pagesthe size and power of the federal government and it is one of the largest tax increase in the history of the world,† despite it being almost equally in size to President Clinton 1993 tax increase (â€Å"‘Obamacare’ isn’t the largest†, 2012). There is an abundance of questions surrounding the new healthcare act ranging from the constitutionality of Act to the ethical and moral ramifications of such wide sweeping legislation. This paper will attempt to answer some of these questions as they pertain to healthcare