Foundation of Metaphysics

By Kant’s metaphysics of morals is meant the idea that there is a moral duty determined by the motive with which one engages in any behavior. The motive to do one’s duty is what determines its morality. Aristotle’s understanding of teleological ethics is a bit different in that motive is not central, rather the act in and of itself is determinant of its moral quality in so far it is aligned with a good end. Thus, if the friend who dives into the icy waters to save another ends up causing the other’s death because of failing to take certain precautions or considerations (as in he neglects to get a life buoy or is not actually a good swimmer) then the morality of the action is questionable.

Both Aristotle and Kant’s approaches can be combined to create a more comprehensive approach to morality. Kant refers to duty and whether one’s motive is pure, which is expressive of the subjective character of an action. Aristotle refers to the end of an action, which is expressive of the objective character of an action. In any action, there is a subjective and an objective character to consider. Objectively an action can be moral or immoral, but subjectively it can be completely the opposite. This is why it is impossible for one to judge the morality of another based on objective considerations alone, as there is always a subjective character to consider, and that is almost impossible to determine as sometimes there are conflicting motives in the human heart that will complicate the character of one’s intentions.

An ethical theory ought to take into consideration the character of the person and the ends he or she wishes to achieve while also looking at the motive of action (whether it is from devotion to duty or for some self-serving impulse). Ethical theory should be inclusive of both the objective and the subjective character of action—though in so doing it will necessarily end with an ambiguous determination. For an action to be objectively good it should be aligned with a good end, but for it to be subjectively good it should be motivated from a devotion to the good (whether it is duty or one of the Ideals).