Analysis of a Moral Dilemma Story: Immanuel Kant's Moral Theory

Immanuel Kant's moral theory essay focuses on the concept of the categorical imperative, which states that moral actions must be done for the sake of duty and not for personal gain. Here we will analyze a moral dilemma story through the perspective of Kant's concept.

Examination of a Moral Dilemma Narrative: Immanuel Kant's Ethical Theory

You have been on a trip on the ship for around two days when an accident occurs. You all abandon the ship due to the severity of the damage. One boat is also damaged and water is coming through a hole, trying to fill the boat. When you are ten on the boat, it can remain afloat as long as nine people are scooping out water with their hands while the remaining one person is resting for 10 minutes before replacing one person who will take their turn to rest too before getting back to the job. Doing this, as long as 5 hours do not elapse, will keep the boat from sinking until the rescue operation commences. You are about to take your 10-minute rest when you realize there is a sound boat close by with 9 people onboard, and one of them is your best friend. He calls you out to join them so that you don’t have to struggle in bailing out water. If you go and leave behind the rest of the people in the damaged boat, they will only sustain their effort to a maximum of two hours, which will, in turn, minimize their chances of survival before the rescue team arrives, thereby securing yours. This begs the question: what will you do in this moral dilemma situation?

Kant's Categorical Imperative

Kant asserts that the supreme principle of morality is an ideal of rationality, which he referred to as the “Categorical Imperative” (CI). Kant branded the CI as an unbiased, rationally essential, and absolute principle; therefore, there is no option of not following CI even if there are natural desires which act contrary to it. He characterizes it as all explicit moral necessities; in regards to Kant, are acceptable by this principle, which means that all immoral deeds are illogical because they go against the CI. Other theorists, such as Hobbes, Locke, and Aquinas, had also claimed that moral desires are centered on standards of rationality. Although these ideals were either helpful principles of reasonableness for gratifying one’s needs or external rational principles that are discoverable by reason, as in Locke and Aquinas. Kant discovered that the analysis of practical reason shows the necessity that rational agents should be in conformity with instrumental principles. Yet he also argued that conformity to the CI (a non-instrumental principle), and hence to moral requirements themselves, can nevertheless be shown to be essential to rational agency. This argument was based on his striking doctrine that a rational will must be regarded as autonomous, or free, in the sense of being the author of the law that binds it. The CI is majorly based on the law of autonomous will. Thus, what mainly holds Kant’s moral philosophy is the idea of reason, which is shown practically by the fact that humans should not be bound to “slavery” but be led by passion. Additionally, the existence of this reason that Kant discovered is that people are all equal and everyone deserves respect. He further argues that there are no resulting consequences that have fundamental moral worth because goodwill is the only good thing. Goodwill does its moral duty by choice freely, which is dictated mainly by reason. Therefore, goodwill is when the free will of a person is purely a result of reason. Formulations of Kant’s moral principle:

The Formula of the Law of Nature

The Formula of the Law of Nature states that your action should only be a maxim by which you can at the same time hope that it results as a universal law. This implies that one's actions should be guided by principles that can be universally applied to everyone in similar circumstances, ensuring fairness and justice.

The Formula of the End in Itself

The Formula of the End in Itself states that your action should be in such a way that it treats humanity well or in the person of any other, not just as means, but should be to the end. This highlights the importance of respecting the intrinsic value of all individuals and not exploiting them for personal benefit.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Kant in his theory argues that you must help those in need. In this situation, for every member to survive, there should be 10 people to allow one to rest. Should I choose to leave the board, the rest of the 9 members will suffer from fatigue and they will drown before the rescue help arrives. Using Kant’s theory, I will have to stay, hoping for help to come. This decision aligns with the categorical imperative, as it respects the humanity of all individuals involved and treats them as ends in themselves, not merely as means to one's own survival.

References

Kant, I. (1785). Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals. Cambridge University Press.

Hobbes, T. (1651). Leviathan. Penguin Classics.

Locke, J. (1690). An Essay Concerning Human Understanding. Oxford University Press.

Aquinas, T. (1274). Summa Theologica. Benziger Bros.