Kant by Onora O\'Neill Analysis of Kantian

¶ … Kant by Onora O'Neill

Analysis of Kantian Morals in the Contemporary Content by Onora O'Neill

Here, Onora O'Neill examines and evaluates the contemporary relevance of Kantian philosophy within how society functions and approves of certain behaviors. Thus, when a person does use another individual as a means to an end, even in an intimate relationship or in a working environment, that person is acting immorally. Personally, despite oppositions, I would tend to agree with such notions, especially because O'Neill is using the concept of consent as a way to define moral and immoral foundations for social interactions.

Essentially, O'Neill presents a strong defense for the modern interpretation of Kantian ethics. Most of Kantian philosophy has been replaced with more recent philosophical discourse, yet there are some elements that still remain prevalent in modern theory. She argues how there is still negative connotations and criticism associated with using other individuals, and that one of the ideals that is still most praised within our society is the notion of respect for other people. Here, Kantian philosophy describes the importance of treating people like human beings, and not just agents or tools to lead one to a particular end goal. The ongoing importance of these values within modern society shows how it still values justice within its social structures, which is a hopeful view for combating injustice both in the society and abroad in others. For example, contemporary society looks down on the behaviors of using individuals, especially within an economic or sexual context. Laws have been put in place to dissuade this type of behavior, in order to better facilitate behavior from citizens that respects the sanctity of the individual as a person and not a tool. In our current legal structure, consent is a necessary element to determine if an action was appropriate or legal in the eyes of the law. As consent is inherently tied to the notion of desire, it is thus a conclusion that the society desires justice. In this, the conclusion of this premise is the fact that contemporary society still highly values trust and criticizes mistrust illustrates that today's society seeks just principles and actions out of its citizens. Its promise to uphold values of consent legitimizes the society's overall view of just action and its demand for appropriate behavior under this view. O'Neill's premise in this article is that trust and honesty are important to help facilitate strong notions and executions of justice within contemporary society. As using people in any context without their consent is immoral, those who do use individuals for their own sake are acting immorally.

There are a number of issues which may need to be further clarified. O'Neill invokes the concept of indifference, and how that is the primary distinction of what is acceptable behavior in today's society or not. Thus, she states, "if we show indifference to others, we do not treat them as persons; if our interactions are personal in tone, whether sympathetic or hostile, we treat them as persons" (O'Neill 253). However, she illustrates how this is not a proper definition of mistreatment, as many will still turn on the charm while intentionally using other individuals for personal gain. Rather, she agrees with Kant in the concept that it is immoral and unacceptable for people to treat other individuals in a manner which those individuals do not give their consent. As such, "to do so treats another as a thing or tool, which cannot, so does not, consent to the ways in which it is used; so fails to treat others as persons, who can choose, so may withhold consent from actions which affect them" (O'Neill 254). Both individuals must agree and give consent for the treatment in order to facilitate trust in worthy behavior and character. Without an individual providing consent to be a part of an action or strategy, they simply resign to the more base level of a tool or instrument at the hands of another individual. In this, people actually become agents who restrict behaviors and actions because of their autonomous natures. In this, what is morally correct is what is done with consent. O'Neill also discusses Kant's theory of action, and how "each act is done on a maxim," or an assumed principle that helps facilitates particular actions and behaviors. Essentially, consent is based on desires, and thus Kant's philosophies appropriately connect desire with the basis for action. This helps better define the Formula of the End in Itself, which states that to live a moral life, actions and behaviors must coincide with popular maxims regarding justice and respect.