Kantianism is a philosophical approach developed by the German philosopher Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) that is widely accepted as the core of modern moral philosophy. It is based on the belief that moral decisions should be based on an understanding of universal moral principles, which Kant believed could be derived from the structure of reason itself. Kantianism emphasizes the autonomy of the individual and the importance of autonomy in moral decision-making.
Kantianism is based on Kant’s conception of the moral law, which he argued is based on the categorical imperative. According to Kant, the categorical imperative is a universal moral law that applies to all rational beings, and it states that one must always act in such a way that one’s actions could be applied universally, without regard to the consequences. Kant believed that moral decision-making should be based on an understanding of this law, rather than on an individual’s desires or interests.
Kantianism is closely related to utilitarianism, another important moral theory. Utilitarianism is based on the idea that the moral value of an action is determined by its consequences; that is, actions are judged on the basis of the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Kantianism, on the other hand, emphasizes the importance of autonomy in moral decision-making, and places less emphasis on the consequences of an action.
Kantianism has been highly influential in modern moral philosophy. Many philosophers, including John Rawls and Peter Singer, have incorporated elements of Kantianism into their own moral theories. Kantianism has also been applied to a variety of moral issues including abortion, euthanasia, and same-sex marriage.
References
Kant, I. (1785). Groundwork of the metaphysics of morals. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Rawls, J. (1971). A theory of justice. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Singer, P. (2009). The life you can save: Acting now to end world poverty. New York: Random House.
Bentham, J. (1789). An introduction to the principles of morals and legislation. Oxford: Clarendon Press.