Here is the synopsis of our sample research paper on Hans Jonas’ Restructuring of Kant’s Ethical Categorical Imperative in the Age of Technology
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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
This is a 5 page paper discussing Jonas’ restructuring of Kant’s categorical imperative in regards to ethically responsible decisions and actions. In the 18th and 19th centuries, philosophers such as Immanual Kant were interested in “the supreme moral principle” which would govern individual action and decision making in society, religion and politics. Kant in his work “Foundations of the Metaphysics of Morals” developed the categorical imperative which stated “Act so that you can will that the maxim of your action be made the principle of universal law”. This reasoning reflected that individuals “ought” to act in relation to their moral duty and not out of self interest for the good of humanity and society. Since the advent of modern global technology however, contemporary philosophers argue that this categorical imperative falls short of preserving humanity. Hans Jonas in particular argues that Kant’s categorical imperative does not reflect the responsibility needed in present actions in order to preserve not only present generations but also future generations. Technology has such a global impact on all of humanity and the environment that decisions made today must have an imperative of responsibility for the future of humanity.
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5 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_TJJonas1.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
and decision making in society, religion and politics. Kant in his work "Foundations of the Metaphysics of Morals" developed the categorical imperative which stated "Act so that you can will
that the maxim of your action be made the principle of universal law". This reasoning reflected that individuals "ought" to act in relation to their moral duty and not out
of self interest for the good of humanity and society. Since the advent of modern global technology however, contemporary philosophers argue that this categorical imperative falls short of preserving humanity.
Hans Jonas in particular argues that Kants categorical imperative does not reflect the responsibility needed in present actions in order to preserve not only present generations but also future generations.
Technology has such a global impact on all of humanity and the environment that decisions made today must have an imperative of responsibility for the future of humanity.
German philosopher Immanual Kant (1724-1804) in his work "Foundations of the Metaphysics of Morals" (1959) examined the ethical issues involved with morality through hypothetical
and categorical imperatives. Kant basically believed that "the supreme moral principle is based on pure reason" and ethics are not based on "empirical facts about humans" but instead are mostly
"a priori" as they are "evident through thinking alone and not based on sense experience" (Gensler, 2002). "A priori" ethics are needed because mans motives cannot be based on notions
such as self-interest or individuals will neglect their moral duties. There are certain imperatives which individuals ought to follow which are "valid for every rational being". Imperatives however may be
"hypothetical" in that "If you want to fulfill end E, then you ought to do A" or categorical, "You ought to do A" (Gensler, 2002; Kant, 1959). Ethics based on
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