“An action is moral if it is the outcome of a moral agent’s sense of duty.” Examine this statement in reference to Kant’s concept of moral duty. How is it different from consequentialism? (250 words)
07 Aug 2019 | GS Paper 4 | Theoretical Questions
Approach / Explaination / Answer
Approach
- Explain the statement with reference to Kant's Concept of moral duty.
- Differentiate this with the Consequentialism theory with proper examples.
- Give conclusion.
Introduction
- Deontological theory of Immanuel Kant considers an action as moral in virtue of its being a duty, i.e.,‘ obligation or obedience to moral laws’.
- Kant’s moral theory arises from the belief that man is free and that his moral conviction is brought about by inner reasoning rather than external forces. He said that all morals are based purely on reason.
Body
- Consequences have nothing to do with moral obligation or duty which alone determines whether an action is moral or otherwise. Thus, moral obligation is an end in itself rather than a means to an end. For example, telling the truth is always right whatever its consequences is, thus telling the truth is a moral duty.
- An action which leads to undesirable consequences may be moral; and an action which leads to good consequences can be immoral. For example, a decision made in conformity with fairness and justice is always considered moral even if its result is undesirable.
- Kant said that the most important part of doing one’s duty is that the action one is performing is universalizable, applicable to everyone no matter their circumstances. This means that to perform one’s duty one must be reasoning logically and performing a universalizable action, one that is right in every situation under similar circumstances. Kant called this the “Categorical imperative”.
Deontological Vs Consequentialism
- Deontology focuses on the rightness or wrongness of an action based on universal moral laws and ignores its consequences. Whereas consequentialism focuses on consequences of an action. An action is right if it produces better consequence than alternative actions.
- Kant’s categorical imperative did not believe in the consequentialists’ theory of “Ends justify means”. The action is undertaken because of the very nature of the action itself and not because it is the means of achieving something else.
Conclusion
- Kant’s concept of duty is similar to the Nishkama Karma propounded by Bhagavat Geeta.
- Mahatma Gandhi also believed in duty-based ethics.
- Swami Vivekananda said, “devotion to duty is the highest form of worship to God”.
- Kant’s ethics has wide application in administration to guide actions of administrators that is based on moral and constitutional values.