ETHC 445N Week 5 Discussion; Kant s Ethics and Our Duty (Option 2)

Required Resources Read/review the following resources for this activity: • Textbook: Chapters 9,10 • Lesson • Minimum of 1 scholarly source (in addition to thetextbook) Introduction Kant's famous First Formulation of the Categorical Imperative reads, "Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law." Kant taught morality as a matter of following maxims of living that reflect absolute laws. "Universal" is a term that allows for no exceptions, and what is universal applies always and everywhere. Don't forget about the second formulation of the categorical imperative which states, "Act in such a way that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of another, always at the same time as an end and never simply as a means." It is just as important. Initial Post Instructions For the initial post, address one of the following sets of questions: 1. What are the personal and/or communal ethical factors that may be involved in determining the moral position of either side given a contemporary debate,such as those concerning animal rights, stem cell research, abortion, the death penalty, and soforth? 2. Elaborate in detail the ethical positions arrived at by using the Kantiancategorical imperative relative to the long standing debate surrounding the death penalty or abortion. Argue the ethics from the point of view of the prisoner or from thefetus 3. Evaluate the ethical positions in part two. You will want to detail whether theyare convincing, logical, correct, consistent,etc. Option 2: Elaborate in detail the ethical positions arrived at by using the Kantian categorical imperative relative to the long-standing debate surrounding the death penalty or abortion. Argue the ethics from the point of view of the prisoner or from the fetus. Kant's Categorical Imperative claims that you should act accordingly to that maxim where it will become a universal law. This means to always follow the law even if it is immoral to some. People should be punished for the crimes they committed, but they should be equivalent to the seriousness of the crime. (Rachels 2019) The death penalty should be used if you kill another so you shall be killed also. The death penalty is justified for murder. Kant says this about capital punishment, murderers should die fortheir crime.. it is almost like saying the person must suffer a punishment equal to the victim’s suffering ie. an eye for an eye... or a life for a life. Some prisoners may prefer the death penalty over life because they do not want to live a long sentence, many times they will come to accept the death penalty because oftheir wrongdoings. References Rachels, S., & Rachels, J. (2019). The elements of moral philosophy (9th ed.). Mcgraw- Hill Education. Hoag, R. (2010). Capital Punishment | Internet encyclopedia of philosophy. Retrieved April 04, 2021, from %20pure%20retributivism,%E2%80%9Cthe%20principle%20of%20equality. %E2%80%9D