Essay on Kant’s Ethics (Essay Sample)

Essay on Kant’s Ethics Student Name: Course: Institution: Instructor: Date: Essay on Kant’s Ethics Question 1 The problem with the Galacticans, from Kant’s ethical perspective, is that they are not operating on a universally accepted moral code. Kant believed that any ethical system must be based on an objective moral principle that is universal and applicable to all rational beings. This means that any action taken must be justifiable and consistent with the same set of moral principles for all people. In terms of whether we could reasonably object to the Galacticans eating us, Kant would argue that it is wrong to use another person as a means to an end, as this violates the principle of treating other people as ends in and of themselves. As such, Kant would argue that it is wrong to treat another person as food and that we should not allow the Galacticans to do so. Question 2 Milgram’s maxim is “Act in such a way that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other, never merely as a means to an end, but always at the same time as an end.” Applying Kant’s universal law test, we can say that this maxim can be universalized. This is because it is a universal moral law that applies to all people. It states that we should never use other people as a means to an end, but rather to treat them as ends in themselves. Universalizing this maxim would mean that everyone should act in a way that respects others and does not use them for their own personal gain. Question 3 No, Milgram did not show that, from Kant’s point of view, he lacked respect for persons by treating them merely as means to his end or goal. Milgram's goal in his study was to examine the effects of authority on obedience. For the study, he recruited volunteers to take p...