Kant And Hume On Morality Essay - 1952 Words

Introduction ‘The relationship between Immanuel Kant (1724–1804) and David Hume (1711-1776) is a source of wide spread fascination’ (Standard Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Kant and Hume on Morality). Purpose of this essay is to provide Immanuel Kant’s claims on sympathy and David Hume’s assessment on it, backed up by their reasoning’s. By doing so, strong argument will separately be provided from both sides and the task then is to present my personal opinion on whose argument seems more compelling. David Hume’s assessment and arguments appear more compelling than Immanuel Kant. Immanuel Kant Kant advocated, many human beings are sympathetically constructed that without any other motives they discover an inner satisfaction in dispersing joy around and take delight in the satisfaction of other people, as long as it is their own work. However, it may conform to duty and amiable it may appear, sympathy possess no true moral worth (Kant, 2012). Kant characterises actions that only possess true moral worth to be when an individual expresses a good will and acts out of duty in itself. In this universe it is difficult to perceive anything as good without limitations, except that of a good will. Many things seem to possess good attributes and qualities, but can be harmful and evil. Confidence contains both vice and virtue qualities. Good qualities of confidence are being happy and containing strong faith within themselves, but there are limitations in acting overconfident. ActingShow MoreRelatedComparing David Hume and Immanuel Kant Essay1356 Words   |  6 PagesComparing David Hume and Immanuel Kant David Hume and Immanuel Kant each made a significant break from other theorists in putting forward a morality that doesn’t require a higher being or god, for a man to recognize his moral duty. Although Hume and Kant shared some basic principals they differed on their view of morality. In comparing the different views on human will and the maxims established to determine moral worth by David Hume and Immanuel Kant, I find their theories on morality have some meritRead MoreEssay on Contrasting Kand and Hume on Morality1510 Words   |  7 PagesMorality is central to all rational beings, whereby a moral action is one determined by reason, rather than our personal desires as suggested by Kant (1785) in contrast to Hume. (1738). Furthermore, Kant suggests that an action is moral only on account of its being reasoned, therefore the moral worth of an action is determined by its motives and not by its consequences. Exploring the works of Hume (1738) and Kant(1785) on morality and et hics, we will ask the question whether we should do what isRead MoreIs David Hume Or Immanuel Kant?1428 Words   |  6 PagesWas David Hume or Immanuel Kant more virtuous in their ethical philosophy? First we must understand what these ethical writings were for each modern philosopher. 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David Hume from Edinburgh, Scotland in 1723 and died there in 1776, as a world famous philosopher of his time (n.p.). While, Immanuel Kant was born in Konigsberg, Prussia in 1724 and died in 1804, best known for his critique of Hume’s causality claim. In effect, Hume opened the door for other philosophers, or critics to expand on his view of causality and Kant took up the challenge, but their differences like: empiricist skepticism, transcendental idealism, and ethics and morality. Due to,Read MoreWealth Of Nations By Adam Smith1574 Words   |  7 Pagesorder to assess the morality of these arguments, David Hume’s definition of morality and Kant’s definition of morality can be used. These definitions, ultimately, serve as context for Smith’s arguments, so that there is a clearer idea of whether they are moral or not. From this, modern readers of Smith’s book can better determine the positive and negative qualities of Smith’s idea of free-trade. Kant’s definition of morality contrasts with Hume’s definition. For Kant, morality is split into threeRead MoreThe Origins Of Moral Judgment1433 Words   |  6 Pagesactions help to form a child’s morality. They begin to learn what is right and wrong. They test the limits of the society around them to see what they can get away with and what they cannot. One could argue that if there were a society that encouraged these behaviors, people would grow up much differently. Some philosophers like Kant say people are naturally good with a strong moral compass. Other philosophers like Hume argue that humans are taught their morals. Kant says that all moral judgmentsRead MoreHume Versus Kant Essay1491 Words   |  6 PagesHume and Kant offered two differing views on morality. Humes philosophy regarding moral theory came from the belief that reason alone can never cause action. Desire or thoughts cause action. Because reason alone can never cause action, morality is rooted in us and our perception of the world and what we want to gain from it. Virtue arises from acting on a desire to help others. Humes moral theory is therefore a virtue-centered morality rather than the natural-law morality, which saw morality asRead MoreBecoming a Philosphy Scholar Too!1457 Words   |  6 Pagessituations. Learning about the different philosophers theories on moral judgment allows you to question your own morals while looking at morality through a different lens. The philosophies on morality that truly made me rethink my moral judgment through presenting me with a different ethical perspective were the philosophers David Hume, Jeremy Bentham, and Immanuel Kant. The reading that resonated with me the most was David Hume’s, A Treatise of Human Nature. Before I began reading the text, I hadRead MoreKant on the Locus of the Moral Worth and Utility682 Words   |  3 PagesAccording to Atwell’s argument (13), Kant implied that nothing is good without a limitation except the good will. In an argument, Kant is claimed to admit that there are other good things that exist, yet all of them have limitations. The good things are grouped into three categories; the abilities of the mind, certain qualities of character and incidental gifts. Kant argues that when these good things are coated with evil will they never remain to be good. According to Kant, the goodwill can never be termed