Kant s Views On Freedom Essay - 1302 Words

In the following paper, I will outline how my understanding of freedom has changed since reading Immanuel Kant’s An Answer to the Question: What is Enlightenment? Firstly, I will state the views that I held on freedom before I read the text, framing them within a political context by labelling myself as a civil libertarian and explaining what that means. Subsequently, I will provide my interpretation of Kant’s views on freedom through the â€Å"positive† and â€Å"negative† senses and how, for Kant, that there ought to be a distinction between the â€Å"public† and â€Å"private† use of reason, as it constitutes a necessary limit on freedom in order to foster enlightenment. Then, I will outline how Kant’s views on freedom have changed my understanding of freedom, stating that they have only strengthened it, though it has taken on a new degree of nuance as I agree that there ought to be such a distinction between the two uses of reason. I will also disagree with Kant by arguing that the citizenry must have the right to dissolve an authoritarian government, as it is necessary to preserve enlightenment. Finally, I will highlight a paradox that presents itself in Kant’s writings, highlighting it through the contemporary example of Edward Snowden’s disruptive usage of his public reason. Prior to reading the text, my views on freedom were framed around my experience with regards to paying attention to politics. I have always fancied fashioning my own viewpoints on a slew of topics, and freedom isShow MoreRelatedKant And Mill s Views On Freedom And Civil Rights1032 Words   |  5 PagesKant and Mill would disagree in their views of freedom, and civil rights. The former would consider defending liberty and civil rights as a duty one could not break. The latter, on the other hand, would consider liberty and civil rights as valuable inasmuch as they promoted the achievement of some greater good. Thus while Kant would take it as a categorical imperative that one promote freedom and civil rights, in as much as one would want their own freedoms and civil rights to be respected (toRead MoreThe Ideal Ruler Of Kant s Ruler1070 Words   |  5 Pagesquestion in his work The Prince(Machiavelli 8). Centuries later a different view of an ideal ruler was proposed by an Enlighte nment writer, Immanuel Kant. Although Niccolà ² Machiavelli and Immanuel Kant lived 250 years apart, both views have advantages and disadvantages in leading a country, Kant s ruler is a early model of a democratic ruler while Machiavelli s ruler was an ideal model for a absolute monarch. Immanuel Kant s view of an ideal leader is more beneficial to the European society during theRead MoreKant And David Hume Views On The Matter1457 Words   |  6 Pagesreason and feel some sort of emotion. Objectively speaking, there is a no fine line between reasoning and how one feels, however there seems to be a distinct difference between the philosophers Immanuel Kant and David Hume views on the matter. Both are life changing philosophers with very opposing views. One sees the feelings in human nature while the other seems to see nothing but rationality. One can argue both are used but according to these two there is only one or the other dominating the brainRead MoreBroadcasting Corporation s Decision On Broadcast Jerry Springer1685 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction - What I intend to write about In this report, I will be assessing the British Broadcasting Corporation s decision to broadcast Jerry Springer: The Opera back on 8th January 2005. In order to judge the decision, I will be looking at the reasons why the BBC made the decision to air it in 2005. I will be comparing the number of people who complained to the BBC to the total amount of people who watched the broadcast using viewing figures and charts. In addition, I will also look at theRead More Freedom Essay942 Words   |  4 Pagesquot;normalquot; or what everyone is programmed to do. Kant says quot;Can you also will that your maxim should become a universal law.quot;1 In part I agree to the theory of universal law where quot;rationalquot; is judged by universality or what everyone should do. In fact we know that primitive societies were not built on rationality. I believe that we are intrinsically rational and irrational. In my opinion , taking the daouist view, having the ability to be rational and irrational, a hybridRead MoreKantian Ethics And The Categorical Imperative Essay1581 Words   |  7 PagesAnalysis of Kantian Ethics and critiques In Elements of Pure Practical Reason Book, I, Immanuel Kant, a prominent late Enlightenment Era German philosopher discusses his most famous ethical theory, the â€Å"Categorical Imperative.† The â€Å"Categorical Imperative† is a proposed universal law in stating all humans are forbidden from certain actions regardless of consequences. Although this is the general definition of this ethical theory, the Categorical Imperative† exists in two above formulations, A strictRead MoreKant And Sir William David Ross Essay1011 Words   |  5 PagesImmanuel Kant and Sir William David Ross agreed and disagreed about different aspects of ethical practice. Both philosophers had influential views on ethics with strong opinions and interpretations of what moral philosophy is. Part of C.S. Lewis’ Book touches on the notions raised by the philosophers. Positions of Kant and Ross Immanuel Kant was a Rule Nonconsequentialist Theorist who established Duty Ethics. His theory stemmed from the idea of moral absolutism, a theory which believes moral truthsRead MoreKant s View Of Enlightenment1234 Words   |  5 PagesEnlightenment†, he discusses his view of enlightenment and how â€Å"reason† can be brought to the public masses. During the late 17th century, many individuals found it very difficult to break away from their self-incurred tutelage, and often faced a power struggle between one’s individual thought versus how society deems one to think. As a result, it stemmed the Age of Enlightenment, hence the motto – â€Å"dare to know, dare to be wise†. In Kant’s terms, enlightenment is humanity s escape from â€Å"self-imposed ignoranceRead MoreKant And Kant s View On Life And Most955 Words   |  4 Pagesyou need ,your surviving. If you do what you want, your living†. Philosophers Mill and Kant both share similar ities and differences on their view on life and most of all on the meaning of a â€Å"good life. Mill bases morality on the principle of utility which states , that â€Å" actions or behaviors are right in so far as they promote happiness or pleasure , wrong as they tend to produce unhappiness or pain†. While Kant bases morality on the categorical imperative which is, â€Å"an unconditional moral obligationRead MoreHuman Trafficking Is Today s Version Of Slavery873 Words   |  4 Pagessignificance. Immanuel Kant, a philosopher believes in the idea of impartial human beings, argues that each individual should be treated with respect and dignity. In the book, Justice: What’s The Right Thing To Do?, Kant states, â€Å"This capacity to act autonomously is what gives human life its special dignity. It marks but the difference between persons and things. . . respecting human dignity means treating persons and ends in themselves† (Sandel 110). In other words, Kant believes each individual