Chasing True Happiness: Beyond Wealth and Possessions

2092 Words5 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Some advantage of virtue ethics

The problem we have in today’s society is that people work to acquire as much money and possessions as they can and they think this will achieve happiness. Unfortunately, nobody told these people that happiness cannot be purchased and our possessions will fade no longer keep our interest. As we engulf ourselves in our daily busy work, our relationships are becoming strained and we are distancing ourselves from real happiness. We are seeking the means of work and money as an end, and we are chasing the wrong things in life. We hide from our unhappiness by watching television or partake in activities to distract ourselves from our problems. We need to find true happiness and this is found in becoming virtuous, creating good friendships, …show more content…

Kant says that if we misuse the “qualities of temperament” then they become extremely evil (Kant, 9). This would relate to what Aristotle discussed as virtues and when misused, they will become vices of excess or deficiency (Aristotle, 29). Kant continues by introducing that a person must have a good will to know how to properly use our “qualities of temperament” and “gift of fortune” and not have them become evil and a hindrance rather than a help to us in reaching our end (Kant, 9). Kant’s “qualities of temperament” are the virtues that we are trained in and his “gifts of fortune” are the material goods we use as a means to reach our end (Kant, 9). With the use of this good will, we will find happiness because “a good will is good not because of what is effects, or accomplishes, not because of its fitness to attain some intended end, but good just by its willing, i.e. itself” (Kant, 10). Here Kant is talking about good will and he means reason, but he means even more than reason, because good will is able to be directed toward others. Therefore, Kant is talking about a reasonable contemplation that is meant for the good of others. Kant goes even further by saying that this reason is assigned as our ruler by nature and this is setting our goal as a reasonable contemplation that is for the betterment of others. This good will should be, according to Kant, our ultimate end in life that all other actions should direct us to good will and thus give us

Show More
Related

  • Duty and Morality in Kant’s Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals

    406 Words  | 1 Pages

    This selection is only the first section of Immanuel Kant’s Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals. I am only going to discuss duty and morality. Kant gives three propositions regarding duty (p.107). Kant argues that the will that acts from reason is the will guided by duty.

    Read More

  • Immanuel Kant's Philosophy Essay

    1794 Words  | 4 Pages

    Philosophy is one’s oxygen. Its ubiquitous presence is continuously breathed in and vital to survival, yet its existence often goes unnoticed or is completely forgotten. Prussian philosopher Immanuel Kant was one of the many trees depositing this indispensable system of beliefs into the air. Philosophy is present in all aspects of society, no matter how prominent it may be. As Kant was a product of the Scientific Revolution in Europe, the use of reason was an underlying component in the entirety of his ideas. One of his main principles was that most human knowledge is derived from experience, but one also may rely on instinct to know about something before experiencing it. He also stated that an action is considered moral based on the motive behind it, not the action itself. Kant strongly believed that reason should dictate goodness and badness (McKay, 537). His philosophies are just as present in works of fiction as they are in reality. This is exemplified by Lord of the Flies, a fiction novel written by William Golding. The novel strongly focuses on the origins of evil, as well as ethics, specifically man’s treatment of animals and those around him. Kant’s philosophy is embedded in the thoughts and actions of Piggy, Ralph, Jack, and Simon throughout the novel. Kant’s beliefs also slither into “Snake,” a poem by D.H. Lawrence, focusing on the tainting of the pure human mind by societal pressures and injustices. Overall, both the poet in “Snake” and Piggy, Ralph, Jack, and Simon in Lord of the Flies showcase Immanuel Kant’s theories on ethics, reasoning, and nature.

    Read More

  • The Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals

    1055 Words  | 3 Pages

    Can suicide be justified as morally correct? This is one of the many questions Immanuel Kant answers in, “The Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals”. Kant discusses many questions with arguable answers, which explains why he is one of the most controversial philosophers still today. Throughout Kant’s work, multiple ideas are considered, but the Categorical Imperative is one of the most prevalent. Though this concept is extremely dense, the Categorical Imperative is the law of freedom that grounds pure ethics of the metaphysics of ethics. Categorical imperatives are the basis of morality because they provoke pure reasons for every human beings actions. By the end of his work, one will understand Kant’s beliefs on morality, but to explain this, he goes into depth on the difference between hypothetical imperatives and Categorical Imperative, two different formulations of the Categorical Imperative, and a few examples.

    Read More

  • Immanuel Kant's Work On Grounding For The Metaphysics Of Morals?

    788 Words  | 2 Pages

    Immanuel Kant’s work on Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals explores the understanding of morels, and the process of which these morals are developed through philosophy. He also disentangled the usefulness and foundation of the instituted of religion.

    Read More

  • Grounding For The Metaphysics Of Morals By Immanuel Kant

    1180 Words  | 3 Pages

    In this paper, I will critique Kantian ethic’s failure to defend beings disputably labeled “irrational.” The concept of a rational being is a common motif throughout Immanuel Kant’s “Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals.” These beings comprise the foundation of his entire argument. Therefore, for the purpose of this essay, it is crucial to further examine what is meant by “rational.” Kant offers three essential requirements that separate rational beings from their irrational counterparts; the ability to reason, a moral will, and autonomy (53, 49, 41.) Rational beings are those included in his ideal “kingdom of ends” (39.) He defines this kingdom as “a systematic union of rational beings through common objective law” (39.) Since Kant’s code of ethics only applies to those deemed rational, some fundamental questions remain ambiguous. Firstly, in what manner should Kant’s higher capacity beings interact with those “incapable” of reason? Could those who fail to meet the three requirements be abused or exploited? Would this be justified? Some may conclude that Kant has evaded these inquiries altogether.

    Read More

  • Analysis of Immanuel Kant´s Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals

    926 Words  | 2 Pages

    Kant conveys his beliefs by introducing the idea of a moral law. He believes there is a moral law that is to be upheld by everyone. The moral law is an unconditional principle that defines the standards of right action. Good will is a form of moral law because it’s a genuine attitude behind an action. Anything that is naturally good is morally good which sums up to be good will. Actions of good will do the right thing for the reason of simply being the right thing to do. There is no qualification, benefactor or incentive its good will and no personal gain, inclination, or happine...

    Read More

  • Essay On Civil Disobedience And The Grapes Of Wrath

    905 Words  | 2 Pages

    The people need a society they can rely on; one that has “good neighbors and friends” (Thoreau 11). Once one feels he or she lives in such a society that ensures their basic needs of survival, they can try to pursue the undeclared yet most important need: the need to find happiness. The people must know that each individual is capable of making the best out of their lives from the opportunities

    Read More

  • Gone Baby Gone Analysis

    1140 Words  | 3 Pages

    Kant explores the good will which acts for duty’s sake, or the sole unconditional good. A good will is not good because of any proposed end, or because of what it accomplishes, but it is good in itself. The good will that is good without qualification contains both the means and the end in itself. People naturally pursue the good things in life and avoid the bad. Kant argues that these good things are either means to a further end or good ends in and of themselves.

    Read More

  • Immanuel Kant Narrative Of Duty

    1056 Words  | 3 Pages

    Immanuel Kant’s “Groundwork to the Metaphysics of Morals” answers the question of, where does the moral value or worth of an action reside by stating the only thing that can be completely good is a good will itself. He voices that even good moral acts and good moral things can have a negative result. Good will is a formal law like how gravity is a law, in order to have a good-willed society, everyone must obey this moral, universal law. The specific requirements of good will are performed by duties, these duties are designed to attain, “this notion that always holds the highest esteem in estimating the value of our actions” (Kant, 116). “The Motive of Duty” examines to accomplish duties, people have to be motivated by what is morally right

    Read More

  • The Importance Of A Rich And Fulfilling Life

    1586 Words  | 4 Pages

    “Because I am female I am expected to aspire to marriage, I am expected to make my life choices always keeping in mind that, Marriage is the most important”. This is a series of lyrics from Beyoncé’s song Flawless. This quote is important because I feel this pressure when I am supposed to talk about ‘a rich and fulfilling life’. I almost feel obligated to mention ‘a family’ as one of my requirements to a rich and fulfilling life. As a woman, society expects me to mention children and a husband to complete my life. However, I don 't want to take the traditional route. To me, a rich and fulfilling life can mean different things. Important values to me revolve around my goals and dreams in life. I think a rich and fulfilling life to me includes

    Read More

  • Essay On Grounding For The Metaphysics Of Morality By Immanuel Kant

    1400 Words  | 3 Pages

    Kant believes the morality of our action doesn’t depend on the consequences because consequences are beyond our control. According to him, what determines the morality of action is the motivation behind the action and that is called will. Kant states that there is anything “which can be regarded as good without qualification, except a good will” (7). He suggests other traits such as courage, intelligence, and fortunes and possessions such as fortune, health, and power are not good in themselves because such traits and possessions can be used to accomplish bad things if the actions are not done out of goodwill. Thus, the good motivation is the only good that is good in itself. It is the greatest good that we can have. Then, the question that arises is how do we produce good will? Kant claims that our pure reason

    Read More

  • Kant's View Of Morality

    234 Words  | 1 Pages

    Kant may have some valid points on the ideas of demands, and their reasonability, however I find it extremely difficult to execute these thoughts in a naturally occurring situation. Kant, for example, believes lying, regardless of the situation, is absolutely immoral and unacceptable. There are instances however, that I would find it completely acceptable to lie in and I would not consider myself an immoral person for doing so. Blackburn goes on to explain how ethics focuses on the “impartial” and “universal” views of morality and I find what he says to be very intriguing. Blackburn explains that we should all be pulling our own weight, but then goes into detail about circumstances in which we break this wall and are forced to help those inferior

    Read More

  • Kant's Metaphysics

    417 Words  | 1 Pages

    Philosophy might be partitioned into three fields: physics, ethics, and logic. These fields may include either "empirical" investigation of our encounters, or "pure" examination of ideas. "Metaphysics" is the investigation of pure ideas as they identify with moral or physical experience.

    Read More

  • The Roots of Happiness

    1549 Words  | 4 Pages

    Early Modern Europe experienced several tragedies in which the citizens sensed that there must be a better way to live where happiness was more familiar. Alterations for what truly defines absolute happiness in a society during these times of catastrophe were expressed through utopian literature. Thomas More’s Utopia, Tomasso Campanella’s City of the Sun, and Caron De Beaumarchais’ The Marriage of Figaro together attempt to answer what truly creates a happy civilization during different periods of crisis within Europe. Each of these utopian literature’s suggest a different origin that happiness derives from, soundly signifying that change in Europe would be beneficial. The revolutionary ideas of change in Europe proposed by Utopia, City of the Sun, and The Marriage of Figaro through their individual utopias, demonstrated their beliefs that such change of social classes, the expression of pleasures morally, and a more unified government would lead to a happier, less corrupt society.

    Read More

  • The Pursuit of Happiness

    1131 Words  | 3 Pages

    Happiness is a feeling that humans naturally desire. Without it, one feels incomplete. In this generation, happiness has taken on a definition by how we are presented to one another. It is measured by how much money we have, how famous we are, or the things we possess. When in reality, none of these things guarantee a happy life. Happiness is something that cannot be bought with money, but rather, it must be found, earned, sought after. Each and every one of us has our own list of things that we consider to make us happy. However, happiness shines brightest through the relationships we create, and the goals we make for ourselves to strive after. Along with these two essential sources, we then can mix and match those things in life that we enjoy to create our own unique formula for happiness.

    Read More

More about Chasing True Happiness: Beyond Wealth and Possessions

Open Document