Ideas about Kant?

Question

I need to write a term paper that deals with Kant's moral theory in some way.

I understand Kant just fine, but what I need are ideas for what to write about-- it's ten pages long. Should I compare Kant's ethics to the ethics of another early modern philosopher, like Hume or Spinoza?

Should I compare Kantian ethics to other aspects of his philosophy?

I'm no good at coming up with topics for philosophy papers.

Answer 1

Coming up with ideas for philosophy papers is just as difficult for those of us who have been doing it academically (and even professionally) for many years.

But if you do a compare and contrast, now you will have to work out getting right not just Kant's position on something, but also another philosopher, who I'm sure is not easy either. Save yourself the time and energy--stick to Kant solely.

Instead of a compare and contrast thesis, how about some contribution in which to you address a particular aspect of Kant's ethics with its relation to another aspect of his thought (e.g., his epistemology, or theory of mind, or theory of language).

Or, you could examine how Kant's ethics contributes to some other area of philosophy in a way that is overlooked or underappreciated. For instance, since you claim to understand Kant pretty well (I doubt this because even scholars have a hard time understanding Kant well), maybe you could argue that Kant's ethical theory contributes to areas of contemporary concern. Perhaps Kant's ethics can have something important to say about philosophical theology or the ethics of belief, for instance. Also, alot of ethical arguemnts have schematic analogs in contemporary philosophy of science debates (e.g., the debate concerning the identification of moral properties is analogous to the identification of unobservables as theorectical entities). Perhaps this could be something (It's a chance to show off your creativity, but be careful, don't go overboard. )

Or, you could just do a simple philosophical analysis paper in which you formulate some argument in Kant's ethics, exegete the argument, place it in context of his overall project, explicate the argument and then crtique it. Formulate the argument according to validity conditions and then argue that its soundness is in question.

In general, philosophical topics most commonly take the following forms:

1 Compare and contrast
2. Argument analysis
3. Clarification of a concept or set of concepts
4. Dissolution of a psuedo-inquiry/debate/problem
5. Postive Argument for a particular veiw
6 Negative arguments for a particular view

As an undergaduate, you will not be expected to contribute novel ideas in current Kantian scholarship. It is usually good enough that you demonstrate your ability to formulate and analize his arguments properly, and that you have an understanding of his veiws and their implications to other areas of Kant's thought, as well as how those veiws might relate to contemporary issues.

For Kant's ethics, a good introduction can be found in the work of Roger Sullivan, which should give you ideas. Also, consider, as indirect material, Dicker's book that is an introduction to Kant's epistemology. The Cambridge Compantion to Kant will have good material as well; and so does the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (online at http://plato.stanford.edu/contents.html ), and the Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy (ed) Audi.

Answer 2

the reality that good judgment looks to show in direction of God while thinking specific premises does not negate the reality that different premises disallow Gods existence. As claimed by using the scientific approach, some thing can basically be actual if all information shows that is dazzling and non information shows that is incorrect. the reality that express (dazzling) premises disprove the existence of God is consequently greater binding than the reality that express (additionally dazzling) premises (seem to) tutor God's existence. Practicality does not effect the reality. the two Gods exist, or they don't. whether that is greater handy that they do does not replace the possibilities of their existence. The assumptions that God reasons morality and that not something reason morality are additionally preposterous on the edge of Kant. Social Darwinism does purely fairly much as good a job at offering morality as faith (traditionally). (sorry human beings, yet Hitler became right into a Catholic who denied evolution and Stalin became right into a Lamarckist. i'm conversing bearing directly to the morality of the later nineteenth century while in comparison with the seventeenth and 18th centuries). that is not as lots around as that's elementary incorrect. there is not any fault in good judgment it concluding god exists while utilising those premises: "morality exists, basically god provides morality". yet what's lacking is the information for the 2d premise. that is purely common incorrect.

Answer 3

Use some aspect of Kant which has proven to be controversial in philosophy (or for yourself) and has been challenged by subsequent philosopers.

Answer 4

Kant's ethics were/are the biggest intellectual blow to the West -- to this day. His ideals of duty & altruism have permiated many cultures - Nazi Germany to modern day America. It will be our undoing.

Contrast that with Ayn Rand's rational egoism; the only consitent opposition to Kant.

Answer 5

How could Kants moral theory be applied today.

http://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/hegel/works/sl/sljudge.htm#SL171n

http://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/hegel/works/hp/hpkant2.htm

http://www.marxists.org/reference/subject/ethics/kant/index.htm#morals

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayn_Rand#Kant

Answer 6

Do some reading, something will spark.

Kant was a racist prick.