Knowledge (XXG)

History of ethical idealism

Source 📝

418:"Kant realized that man's rational capacity alone is not sufficient to constitute his dignity and elevate him above the brutes. If reason only enables him to do for himself what instinct does for the animal, then it would indicate for man no higher aim or destiny than that of the brute but only a different way of attaining the same end. However, reason is man's most essential attribute because it is the means by which a truly distinctive dimension is made possible for him. Reason, that is, reflective awareness, makes it possible to distinguish between good and bad, and thus morality can be made the ruling purpose of life. Because man can consider an array of possibilities, and which among them is the most desirable, he can strive to make himself and his world into a realization of his ideals." 35: 289:"Moral idealism means to interpret life consistently with ethical, scientific, and metaphysical truth. It endeavors to justify the maximum of hope, without compromising or confusing any enlightenment judgement of truth. In this it is, I think, not only consistent with the spirit of a liberal and rational age but also with the primary motive of religion. There can be no religion... without an open and candid mind as well as an indomitable purpose." 305:"ndividuals become aware of more alternatives, and therefore wiser, as they grow older. The human race as a whole has become wiser as history has moved along. The source of these new alternatives is the human imagination. It is the ability to come up with new ideas, rather than the ability to get in touch with unchanging essences, that is the engine of moral progress." 350:", a doctrine through which every individual choice has to be made with the consideration of the decider that it ought to be a universally held maxim, took place in the broader context of his metaphysical views. In Kant's writings, defiance of higher principles was not only wrong in a practical sense but in a fundamentally rational and thus moral sense as well. 431: 445: 409:"What the highest level might be at which humanity may have to come to rest, and how great a gulf may still be left between the idea and its realization, are questions which no one can, or ought to answer. For the matter depends upon freedom; and it is in the very nature of freedom to pass beyond any and every specified limit." 354:
that commands one's mind to thus use logical thinking in painting a mental landscape "as if certain 'idealized' conditions could be realized". As a matter of working out intellectual concepts, Kant asserted the notion that "ought" implies "can", which as an argument has long attracted controversy and debate among philosophers.
309:
Rorty has argued that the complex course of recorded history has shown that "to do the right thing is largely a matter of luck", with standards of morality being far from broadly universal and instead coming fundamentally from "being born in a certain place and a certain time." He has highlighted the
353:
All of that has resulted in Kant's intellectual framework being described as a philosophy of moral idealism by later scholars such as Nicholas Rescher. The latter thinker wrote that at a fundamental level Kant had understood that expressing an ideal meant applying "a regulative principle of reason"
248:
as such. What does, however, exist is the idea of such an object. Existing, as it must, in thought alone (in the manner appropriate to ideas), it exerts a powerful organizing and motivating force on our thinking, providing at once a standard of appraisal and a stimulus to
269:
rather than invented out of whole cloth for narrow benefit. Thus, while existing in relation to the human mind, ideals still possessed a certain kind of metaphysical independence according to Plato. Labeled later on as an ethical idealist, given
244:"The 'reality' of an ideal lies not in its substantive realization in some separate domain but in its formative impetus upon human thought and action in this imperfect world. The object at issue with an ideal does not, and cannot, 172:
in which, as one scholar has put it, certain thinkers have postulated "an underlying sense of right and wrong that is common to all human beings at all times and places". Ongoing debates on whether or not these kinds of inherent
413:
Evaluating Kant's method of turning ideal-based standards into a broader ethical framework in context, scholar Frederick P. Van De Pitte has written about the primacy of rationality to the philosopher, with Pitte remarking,
223:
based on moral idealism that he has defined in depth, remarking that "it rational to strive for the unattainable" and that a "practicality" exists in "seriously pursuing impossible dreams." He interpreted the
391:
in particular, the philosopher articulated a vision of people as by their very essence driven by meaningful ethics. Through the lens of Kant's doctrine, no ironclad divide has existed between morality and the
228:
shared among multiple groups as tied together in a real, tangible fashion due to their mutual influences that've resulted from idealistic ethics, particularly by such ideas stimulating peoples' sense of
215:
about human thinking given that nature of ideals gives them a particular status as "useful fictions", with this developing in terms of their special existence relative to the broader concept of
253:
Other thinkers have asserted that ideals as such constitute things that ought to be said to exist in the real world, having a substance partly to the same extent as human beings and similarly
93:. As noted by philosopher Norbert Paulo, following ideals in a doctrinaire fashion will "exceed obligations" put on people such that actions "are warranted, but not strictly required." 196:. An ideal placed under intellectual analysis become applied in practice via a group of specific goals relative to what has been learned over time about moral thinking. As noted by 200:
philosopher Norbert Paulo, following ideals in a doctrinaire fashion will "exceed obligations" put on people such that actions "are warranted, but not strictly required."
399:
The philosopher's metaphysics tied closely with his socio-political views and belief in fundamental advancement, such that Kant wrote inside of the pages of the
383: 377: 359: 271: 144:
has shown that "to do the right thing is largely a matter of luck" and particularly is due to "being born in a certain place and a certain time."
474: 281:
defined idealistic morality as being the result of a particular attitude about the act of attaining knowledge itself, writing in his book
464: 827: 193: 82: 835: 798: 365: 879: 533: 894: 652: 644: 297:
remarked upon morally idealistic philosophy in the context of strictly specified principles through the lens of his views on
874: 869: 754: 681: 212: 265:. To him, ideals represented self-contained objects existing in their own domain that humanity discovered through 711: 371: 481: 116:
as differing alternatives get compared and contrasted. Advocates for ethical idealism, such as the philosopher
89:, become applied in practice via a group of specific goals relative to what has been learned over time about 854: 578: 469: 401: 322:. In Rorty's opinion, humanity as a whole has advanced at an ethical level due to gradual progress via both 347: 346:", stressed the inherent power of logical thinking in terms of moral analysis. Kant's advocacy for the " 153: 97: 758: 323: 790: 595: 516: 884: 736: 728: 671: 590: 538: 459: 311: 278: 27:
This article is about the movement in moral philosophy. For the intellectual concept itself, see
34: 889: 831: 794: 648: 496: 450: 436: 387:, the latter commentaries developing the intellectual figure's thinking. Within the pages of 720: 634: 204: 165: 157: 141: 117: 109: 101: 396:, with empirical analysis of human psychology dovetailing with studies of people's ideals. 225: 125: 113: 274:, Plato saw these applied moral views as significantly influential on one's life course. 486: 298: 258: 185: 74: 28: 863: 817: 740: 706: 675: 558: 501: 339: 294: 161: 137: 105: 39: 128:
among multiple peoples have a real, tangible nature due to their influences turning
327: 319: 43: 821: 784: 638: 357:
Works authored by Kant on these overall subjects include the initial publication
342:'s particular view of human nature and intellectual inquiry, later summed up as " 568: 208: 100:
emphasizing various types of moral idealism, such as influences being a part of
17: 573: 543: 426: 343: 230: 133: 70: 47: 156:
have emphasized moral idealism, with this including the doctrine influencing
521: 189: 78: 277:
With respect to how exactly human reason should work, American philosopher
188:
weighs them in the context of facing various consequences to holding such
177:
truly exist have been called a "great divide in contemporary philosophy".
724: 600: 511: 315: 254: 169: 121: 90: 51: 310:
disconnect between intellectual abilities and other elements related to
732: 583: 553: 548: 506: 197: 174: 526: 491: 393: 266: 216: 86: 640:
Ethical Idealism: An Inquiry Into the Nature and Function of Ideals
238:
Ethical Idealism: An Inquiry Into the Nature and Function of Ideals
168:. This has occurred in the context of an underlying argument about 563: 262: 220: 129: 33: 181: 136:. In contrast, skeptical philosophers, such as the philosopher 77:
in the context of facing various consequences to holding such
326:
and social advancement, which reflects efforts at improving
50:", articulated a theory of ethical idealism with respect to 293:
In a keynote speech given in August 2005, American scholar
132:
into action, particularly by stimulating peoples' sense of
709:(July 2006). "Is Philosophy Relevant to Applied Ethics?". 257:. A prominent example of this philosophical take is the 85:. Such ideals, which are analyzed during the process of 786:
The Confluence of Philosophy and Law in Applied Ethics
219:. He has described a worldview coming into focus via 318:used by historical actors such as those inside of 301:, asserting to a group of business professionals, 314:, noting for instance the clarity of vision and 416: 407: 303: 287: 242: 812: 810: 46:and intellectual inquiry, later summed up as " 384:Religion within the Boundaries of Mere Reason 61:, which is also referred to by terms such as 8: 823:Anthropology from a Pragmatic Point of View 389:Anthropology from a Pragmatic Point of View 378:Anthropology from a Pragmatic Point of View 360:The Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals 184:based on holding onto specifically defined 73:based on holding onto specifically defined 629: 627: 625: 623: 621: 619: 617: 154:philosophical movements throughout history 98:philosophical movements throughout history 778: 776: 140:, have argued that the complex course of 701: 699: 697: 695: 693: 691: 666: 664: 613: 475:Liberal international relations theory 334:Historical evolution of moral idealism 211:comes into play when analyzing such a 826:. Translated by Victor Lyle Dowdell. 7: 465:Idealism in international relations 828:Southern Illinois University Press 148:Definitions and general background 25: 755:"How to avoid career politicians" 647:. pp. 118–120, Back Cover. 443: 429: 366:The Critique of Practical Reason 855:Types of philosophical idealism 240:, Rescher specifically argued, 645:University of California Press 120:, have asserted that inherent 69:, and other expressions, is a 1: 534:Legacy of Plato's philosophy 911: 26: 712:Business Ethics Quarterly 372:The Metaphysics of Morals 482:Index of ethics articles 783:Paulo, Norbert (2016). 682:Charles Scribner's Sons 579:Psychological foresight 470:Democratic peace theory 402:Critique of Pure Reason 261:intellectual figure of 255:material-based entities 213:philosophical viewpoint 124:shared in terms of the 71:philosophical framework 880:Psychological concepts 420: 411: 348:categorical imperative 307: 291: 251: 112:, it relates to human 55: 42:'s particular view of 895:History of philosophy 152:A range of different 37: 830:. pp. xi–xxii. 793:. pp. 120–122. 759:Adam Smith Institute 725:10.5840/beq200616327 324:technological change 236:Writing in his book 791:Springer Publishing 761:. November 15, 2010 684:. pp. 251–252. 596:Relativist morality 517:Philosophical value 338:German philosopher 180:A framework in the 67:principled idealism 38:German philosopher 875:Philosophy of life 870:Concepts in ethics 591:Philosophy of life 539:Personal character 460:Applied psychology 312:personal character 279:Ralph Barton Perry 56: 677:The Moral Economy 635:Rescher, Nicholas 497:Critical thinking 451:Psychology portal 437:Philosophy portal 283:The Moral Economy 203:American scholar 16:(Redirected from 902: 842: 841: 814: 805: 804: 780: 771: 770: 768: 766: 751: 745: 744: 703: 686: 685: 668: 659: 658: 631: 453: 448: 447: 446: 439: 434: 433: 432: 316:rhetorical skill 272:his large legacy 221:logical thinking 207:has stated that 205:Nicholas Rescher 166:Platonist ethics 158:Christian ethics 142:recorded history 130:logical thinking 118:Nicholas Rescher 110:Platonist ethics 102:Christian ethics 87:ethical thinking 59:Ethical idealism 21: 18:Ethical idealism 910: 909: 905: 904: 903: 901: 900: 899: 860: 859: 851: 846: 845: 838: 816: 815: 808: 801: 782: 781: 774: 764: 762: 753: 752: 748: 705: 704: 689: 672:Perry, Ralph B. 670: 669: 662: 655: 633: 632: 615: 610: 605: 449: 444: 442: 435: 430: 428: 425: 336: 226:human condition 175:mental concepts 150: 126:human condition 122:mental concepts 114:decision making 32: 23: 22: 15: 12: 11: 5: 908: 906: 898: 897: 892: 887: 882: 877: 872: 862: 861: 858: 857: 850: 847: 844: 843: 836: 818:Kant, Immanuel 806: 799: 772: 746: 719:(3): 369–380. 707:Rorty, Richard 687: 660: 653: 612: 611: 609: 606: 604: 603: 598: 593: 588: 587: 586: 581: 576: 571: 566: 561: 556: 551: 546: 536: 531: 530: 529: 524: 519: 514: 509: 504: 499: 494: 489: 487:Applied ethics 479: 478: 477: 472: 462: 456: 455: 454: 440: 424: 421: 335: 332: 299:applied ethics 217:ethical choice 149: 146: 63:moral idealism 29:ideal (ethics) 24: 14: 13: 10: 9: 6: 4: 3: 2: 907: 896: 893: 891: 888: 886: 883: 881: 878: 876: 873: 871: 868: 867: 865: 856: 853: 852: 849:External link 848: 839: 837:9780809320608 833: 829: 825: 824: 819: 813: 811: 807: 802: 800:9781137557346 796: 792: 788: 787: 779: 777: 773: 760: 756: 750: 747: 742: 738: 734: 730: 726: 722: 718: 714: 713: 708: 702: 700: 698: 696: 694: 692: 688: 683: 679: 678: 673: 667: 665: 661: 656: 650: 646: 642: 641: 636: 630: 628: 626: 624: 622: 620: 618: 614: 607: 602: 599: 597: 594: 592: 589: 585: 582: 580: 577: 575: 572: 570: 567: 565: 562: 560: 559:Determination 557: 555: 552: 550: 547: 545: 542: 541: 540: 537: 535: 532: 528: 525: 523: 520: 518: 515: 513: 510: 508: 505: 503: 502:Good and evil 500: 498: 495: 493: 490: 488: 485: 484: 483: 480: 476: 473: 471: 468: 467: 466: 463: 461: 458: 457: 452: 441: 438: 427: 422: 419: 415: 410: 406: 404: 403: 397: 395: 394:natural world 390: 386: 385: 380: 379: 374: 373: 368: 367: 362: 361: 355: 351: 349: 345: 341: 340:Immanuel Kant 333: 331: 329: 325: 321: 317: 313: 306: 302: 300: 296: 295:Richard Rorty 290: 286: 284: 280: 275: 273: 268: 264: 260: 259:ancient Greek 256: 250: 247: 241: 239: 234: 232: 227: 222: 218: 214: 210: 206: 201: 199: 195: 191: 187: 183: 178: 176: 171: 167: 163: 162:Jewish ethics 159: 155: 147: 145: 143: 139: 138:Richard Rorty 135: 131: 127: 123: 119: 115: 111: 107: 106:Jewish ethics 103: 99: 96:With certain 94: 92: 88: 84: 80: 76: 72: 68: 64: 60: 53: 49: 45: 41: 40:Immanuel Kant 36: 30: 19: 822: 785: 763:. Retrieved 749: 716: 710: 676: 639: 417: 412: 408: 400: 398: 388: 382: 376: 370: 364: 363:followed by 358: 356: 352: 337: 328:civilization 320:Nazi Germany 308: 304: 292: 288: 282: 276: 252: 245: 243: 237: 235: 202: 179: 151: 95: 66: 62: 58: 57: 52:moral choice 44:human nature 569:Forgiveness 405:in detail, 209:metaphysics 864:Categories 654:0520078888 608:References 574:Generosity 544:Compassion 344:Kantianism 231:motivation 190:principles 134:motivation 79:principles 48:Kantianism 885:Reasoning 741:146696791 522:Principle 890:Idealism 820:(1996). 674:(1909). 637:(1987). 601:Optimism 512:Morality 423:See also 330:itself. 249:action." 198:Austrian 170:morality 91:morality 765:May 12, 733:3857921 584:Respect 554:Empathy 549:Courage 507:Justice 192:and/or 81:and/or 834:  797:  739:  731:  651:  527:Virtue 492:Belief 267:reason 194:values 186:ideals 164:, and 108:, and 83:values 75:ideals 737:S2CID 729:JSTOR 564:Faith 263:Plato 246:exist 832:ISBN 795:ISBN 767:2024 649:ISBN 182:mind 721:doi 866:: 809:^ 789:. 775:^ 757:. 735:. 727:. 717:16 715:. 690:^ 680:. 663:^ 643:. 616:^ 381:, 375:, 369:, 285:, 233:. 160:, 104:, 65:, 840:. 803:. 769:. 743:. 723:: 657:. 54:. 31:. 20:)

Index

Ethical idealism
ideal (ethics)

Immanuel Kant
human nature
Kantianism
moral choice
philosophical framework
ideals
principles
values
ethical thinking
morality
philosophical movements throughout history
Christian ethics
Jewish ethics
Platonist ethics
decision making
Nicholas Rescher
mental concepts
human condition
logical thinking
motivation
Richard Rorty
recorded history
philosophical movements throughout history
Christian ethics
Jewish ethics
Platonist ethics
morality

Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.