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3 pages/β‰ˆ825 words
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Chicago
Subject:
Literature & Language
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Essay
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English (U.S.)
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Topic:

Kant & Beneficence: Universal Law Formulation, Moral Obligations

Essay Instructions:

Second Paper Topic: Kant & Beneficence (~3 pages)
 According to Kant, we are sometimes morally obligated to help other people regardless of whether doing so is in our interest. There are two ways of arguing for this claim corresponding to each of the two formulations of the categorical imperative that we discussed in class (the universal law formulation and the humanity formulation).
 In this paper, please explain how this claim follows from each of the formulations of the categorical imperative. To do this successfully, you will need to explain the CI-Procedure associated with the universal law formulation (and, along the way, what a “maxim” is), what “humanity” is supposed to be, what it means to treat it as a (mere) means, and what it means to treat it as an “end”.
 After explaining why, according to Kant’s two formulations of the categorical imperative we are sometimes morally obligated to help others regardless of our own interest in doing so, please briefly contrast this justification of beneficence with a utilitarian justification of beneficence.
 As with the last paper, the use of examples is encouraged, but, again, please make sure whatever example(s) you use clearly illustrate the point you are trying to make. It’s not enough to provide an example, you must explain why this example has the shape it does, and why it shows something that you claim it shows.
 Your paper should be organized as a paper. That is, you should not just provide a list of numbered paragraphs that accomplish the two tasks above. Instead, you should write a unified paper in which you do both things.
In the course of writing your paper, you should not need to refer to or cite any materials beyond the Kant, O’Neill, and Singer that we read (and your notes from class). In any event, if you do make use of any materials (including these, but also including conversations with your classmates or resources found online), you must cite them in your paper. It doesn’t matter to me what form of citation (MLA, Chicago, etc.) you use, but please be consistent.
 Your paper should be relatively short (absolutely no more than 4 double-spaced pages). Don’t get cute with margins and font-size.
Completed (full) drafts of the paper are due on 10/31. Please bring a hard copy to class that day and submit an electronic version on Blackboard.
Final versions of the paper are due on 11/9. Please bring a hard copy to class that day and submit an electronic version on Blackboard.

Essay Sample Content Preview:

Kant & Beneficence
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Kant & Beneficence
Introduction
Kant gives two descriptive scenarios that try to explain why we are sometimes morally obliged to help other people and whether doing so is in our interest. Kant elaborates the two ways through formulating categorical imperatives known as universal law formulation and the humanity formulation. This essay, therefore, tries to explain how Kant uses the two formulations to illustrate the moral obligations of helping others regardless of our interest. Additionally, the paper cites real-life examples that interaction with Kant formulations and utilitarian justification of the beneficence.
Universal law formulation
Kant claims that it is impossible to conceive anything in the word that is good without a qualification except a good will. According to him, goodwill can be explained regarding the consequences that come about after an action. However, Kant denies that a good will is not good because of the effects it accomplishes but rather useful because of its conformity with the moral law called categorical imperative. The categorical imperative is therefore what we must do no matter the consequences. Universal formulation, thus, is acting at the maxim through which one can maintain the moral law. Contextually, the maxim is the reason for acting. The universal formula, therefore, mentions that one should only act or take action for the purposes acceptable to everyone.[Johnson, Robert. "Kant’s moral philosophy." Stanford encyclopedia of philosophy (2008).]
To understand deeper the meaning of the universal formulation, take a scenario where one borrows money from the bank. In the real sense, the lender of the money does not have a way out to refund the money and by no means has any financial income. Here, it is automatic that the person shall not have obeyed the universal law because the reasoning for the action is not a maxim. In contrast to this example, the consequence of the said obligation still holds watersIt is important to stay true to your promise whenever you make of them. Consequentially, actions should be taken for persons who violate the maxim for not being true. According to the universal law, therefore, it points us to the moral obligations that we often commit without knowing whether we benefit or not.[Korsgaard, Christine. "Kant's formula of universal law." (1985).]
Humanity law formulation
Kant defines the formula of humanity as acting in such a way that one always treats humanity never as a means but...
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