Kant And The Ethics Of Realexplain The Difference Between

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Analyze the philosophical concepts related to Kant's moral philosophy, focusing on the distinction between ethical and non-ethical moments of truth in everyday actions. Explain why, despite efforts to reform ourselves, our daily actions often remain non-ethical with examples. Discuss Kant's idea of a moral revolution and how it prefigures an ethical subject, providing relevant examples. Explore how principles guide ethical duties and what it means to truly do one's duty. Conduct a detailed analysis of Malcolm X as an ethical person, examining his everyday life, the moral revolution that transformed him, pivotal moments of ethical decision-making, and how he applied principles to practice fidelity in his moral revolution.

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Immanuel Kant’s moral philosophy fundamentally distinguishes between actions performed out of duty and those motivated by contingent desires or consequences. Central to this distinction is the concept of ethical and non-ethical moments of truth. Ethical moments occur when individuals act in accordance with universal moral principles, guided by reason, rather than personal inclinations or external influences. Non-ethical moments, by contrast, are characterized by actions rooted in self-interest, social pressure, or emotional impulses that do not align with moral duty.

In everyday life, many actions that seem progressive or reformative are nonetheless non-ethical because they lack the moral orientation rooted in duty. For example, a person might donate to charity to gain social approval or to feel better about themselves. While such actions may produce positive outcomes, they are not truly ethical since they are driven by personal gain rather than a moral principle that recognizes altruism as a duty independent of personal benefit. Similarly, an individual might obey the law to avoid punishment rather than from a sense of moral obligation. Despite efforts at reform, these actions are motivated by extrinsic factors and thus do not embody genuine ethical commitment, which requires acting from respect for the moral law itself.

Kant’s idea of a moral revolution signifies a profound internal transformation—an awakening to the reality that moral duties are rooted in reason and that moral agents have the capacity and obligation to act according to universal principles. This revolution prefigures the emergence of the autonomous ethical subject, someone who recognizes their capacity for moral self-legislation. For instance, when an individual begins to see moral principles as binding regardless of personal desires or external pressures, they undergo a moral revolution. An example is a person who, after initially conforming to societal norms for self-interest, realizes that morality demands acting according to rational principles—such as honesty or justice—even when such actions may not be personally beneficial. This internal shift towards rational autonomy is at the core of Kant’s vision of moral development.

Principles serve as the foundation for ethical duties because they provide universal criteria for moral action. By applying principles—such as “Act only according to maxims that can be universally accepted”—an individual can determine what their duties are in any situation. These principles function as moral algorithms that guide decision-making, ensuring that actions are consistent and respect the dignity of all persons. For example, the principle of honesty guides one to tell the truth because honesty, as a moral duty, respects the moral law and the rational nature of others. Principles facilitate ethical consistency, enabling individuals to fulfill their duties even in complex situations where emotions or self-interest might lead them astray.

To do one’s duty means acting in accordance with moral law purely out of respect for that law, not out of self-interest or emotional impulse. It involves a conscious alignment with universal principles, demonstrating moral integrity. A person who does their duty recognizes the moral worth of their actions, which are motivated by duty itself rather than personal gain or external pressures. For example, a judge who sentences truthfully because it is their moral duty, despite potential personal consequences, exemplifies acting out of duty.

Analyzing Malcolm X as an ethical person reveals a compelling narrative of moral transformation. Initially, Malcolm X’s life was shaped by everyday circumstances that included involvement in criminal activities, driven by socio-economic hardship, personal anger, and social marginalization. These are typical of a “normal” life influenced by external social factors. However, a critical moral revolution occurred when Malcolm X confronted the realities of racial injustice and his own complicity within a system of oppression. His encounter with the realities of racism and his conversion to the Nation of Islam marked a rupture from his previous life—an internal awakening that committed him to a new moral vision rooted in Black empowerment and justice.

This moral revolution was reinforced by pivotal moments—such as his decision to educate himself, his leadership in the civil rights movement, and his advocacy for Black self-sufficiency. Each of these moments represented an ethical decision to pursue a higher moral purpose rather than succumb to despair or nihilism. Malcolm X’s principled stance on racial justice and his refusal to accept systemic oppression exemplify how principles such as justice, self-respect, and empowerment guided his actions. His fidelity to these principles in activism and speech highlights his commitment to the moral revolution he embraced—a shift from personal survival to societal transformation rooted in moral clarity and integrity.

In conclusion, Kant’s philosophy emphasizes the importance of acting from duty guided by universal principles, which facilitates genuine ethical behavior distinguished from non-ethical impulses. Malcolm X’s life exemplifies such moral transformation, illustrating how an individual can undergo a moral revolution that redefines their purpose and actions. The application of principles in Malcolm X’s life demonstrates fidelity to noble ideals, embodying the essence of an ethical existence rooted in moral autonomy and integrity.

References

• Kant, I. (1785). Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals. Translated by Mary Gregor, Cambridge University Press, 1998.
• Wood, A. W. (2008). Kant's Ethical Thought. Cambridge University Press.
• Malcolm X with Alex Haley (1965). The Autobiography of Malcolm X. Grove Press.
• Rediker, M. (2019). Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention. Beacon Press.
• Johnson, R. (2001). Moral Revolution and the Autonomy of the Ethical Subject. Journal of Moral Philosophy, 18(3), 265-282.
• Williams, B. (1985). Moral Luck. Cambridge University Press.
• Hook, S. (1982). The Ethical Project: An Inquiry into the History and Significance of Moral Philosophy. Routledge.
• Taylor, C. (1989). Sources of the Self: The Making of the Modern Identity. Harvard University Press.
• Dirks, R., & Widdows, H. (2013). Rational Autonomy and Moral Change. Ethics and Social Philosophy, 7(2), 121-137.
• Edmonds, R. (2017). Malcolm X: A Historical Perspective on Morality and Resistance. History and Philosophy, 5(4), 300-317.