This idea of duty, according to Kant, is necessary to achieve purpose in ones life. He claims that duty is not to have any constraint, except that of self- constraint (380). By this it seems that Kant believes humans are natural beings easily led astray, not always following the correct path, the path to duty. The doctrine of duties, which Kant uses to explain the “capacity and resolved purpose to resist an unjust opponent” (380) is an all encompassing doctrine, in a sense it explains how we should lead a good life. Within this broader sense, there are lesser doctrines such as the doctrine of virtue, which brings about internal freedoms under the laws. However, with each duty, there is an end. This end is achieved through our own thought.
Kant describes the end as an object of choice, by which the choice determines the object or the final outcome (381). There are two ways one can achieve this end, either by starting from the end to find the beginning or by starting from the beginning to find the end. The first is known as the doctrine of right, in the sense that the end is attained through free choice, while the latter way is known as ethics, where the “concept of duty” leads a man to find the proper end (382). In either case man cannot be forced to do what he does not want to.
It would seem that the ethical way of achieving an end would be the easiest and the most “correct.” One would only need to have a starting point and follow the concept of duty (i.e. perfecting oneself and/or making oneself morally happy (386)) in order to accomplish an end. However, by beginning from the end one as a much clearer understanding of how to fulfill the ultimate goal. It becomes much easier to map out a plan. By doing this one ensures that they follow the concepts of duty, never being led astray by natural means (380). As Kant says, an end is determined by free choice. “The representation of the end determines choice to an action whereby the object is produced” (385). Free choice: that is the key to the concept of duty and ends. Humans are rational natural beings, which allows us to be led from the correct path. Yet, because we are rational we have the chance to lead a good life by following the ends that correspond to duties.
4 comments:
Chris, Kant’s notion of duty is not defined as not having any constraint except self-constraint. Instead Kant defines duty as the constraint/necessity of an action done out of respect for the law. According to this definition, ends are subsidiary to the notion of duty. You are correct in stating that ends are objects of choice. However, I think it is essential to point out that the doctrine of right results from experience in free choice (382). In Kantian philosophy anything that results from experience is “bad” because it’s subjected to that experience and does not allow for pure reason to determine its cause. Rational beings should do a duty not because of what results from it but for the sake of the duty itself. The only instances in where the end and duties overlap are for perfection and happiness. Kant believes that free choosing to oblige to these two duties also result in the same ends.
There are two ways to reach your life’s final object or outcome, according to Kant. One is based on free choice (The Doctrine of Right) and the second is based on duties (ethics). If the Doctrine of right is based in the notion that the ‘end’ is achieved by starting at the ‘end’ and moving backwards to the ‘beginning’. How can someone have a better perspective of what choices they should make? If one makes the argument hindsight is 20/20 a logical rebuttal is: starting at the end, means the end is no longer the end, but the beginning. How would Kant respond to this?
Rosa I agree with you, ends are in fact a subsidiary to the notion of duty. And duty is the necessity of acting out of reverence for universal law. Thus, the way we act to achieve our respective ends must be characterized as an action that can be universalized. Because of human inclinations and vices we are easily led into wrongdoing and we will not reach our ends and thus falling from our duty. So, following the doctrine of right is imperative to reach an end properly.
Yes, Rosa and John you both are correct. I apologize for the misunderstanding. Laura, in a sense yes the end becomes the beginning. However, according to the Doctrine of Right it seems that the end is just the goal you wish to achieve. While you do have prior knowledge of this goal, it is still the point at which you have to get to. So in this sense the end is truely the end and the beginning is the steps taken to reach that end.
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