Kantian Ethics and Christian Ethics

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Kantian Ethics and Christian Ethics Immanuel Kant the founder of the "Categorical Imperative" (CI) argues that morality is based on standards of rationality. Therefore, to act in disaccord with the CI is to act irrationally or immorally. In comparison to Christianity, to act immorally is to act in disagreement with God's laws. Kant's CI is formulated into three different ways, which include: The Universal Law Formulation, The Humanity or End in Itself Formulation, and The Kingdom of Ends Formulation (Stanford) . The first to formulas combine to create the final formulation. Christianity closely relates to each formula, except for the final formulation. Christianity provides context where following the CI will not result in moral…show more content…
In the scenario Lying to the Murderer at the Door the murderer was to ask Kant where is his victim. Based on his CI he cannot lie in any circumstance, thus making him tell the murderer where his victim is, furthermore making Kant partly responsible for the victim's death. Benjamin Constant attacked Kant immediately by saying " The moral principle, it is a duty to tell the truth, would make any society impossible if it were taken singly and unconditionally". Kant responded with his own document called "On a Supposed right to Lie From Altruistic Motives" where he stated "To tell the truth is thus a duty: but is a duty only in respect to one who has a right to the truth". This argument completely destroys his CI. Kant's philosophy is priori which means that through reason all laws can be used in any situation. One who has the right to truth cannot be determined before understanding the persons intentions. You cannot automatically know not to lie in every situation, because you must interpret the situation. 2 Corinthians 5:10 tells us " For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil". God is the one to decide if we are to lie or not, thus Kant is lacking faith and judgment in his first Formulation. The next formulation is The Humanity or End Itself Formulation which states, "So act as to treat humanity, both in your own person, and in the person of every
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