Hans Jonas’ Restructuring of Kant’s Ethical Categorical Imperative in the Age of Technology
Number of pages:
5
ABSTRACT:
This is a 5 page paper discussing Jonas’ restructuring of Kant’s categorical imperative in regards to ethically responsible decisions and actions. In the 18th and 19th centuries, philosophers such as Immanual Kant were interested in “the supreme moral principle” which would govern individual action and decision making in society, religion and politics. Kant in his work “Foundations of the Metaphysics of Morals” developed the categorical imperative which stated “Act so that you can will that the maxim of your action be made the principle of universal law”. This reasoning reflected that individuals “ought” to act in relation to their moral duty and not out of self interest for the good of humanity and society. Since the advent of modern global technology however, contemporary philosophers argue that this categorical imperative falls short of preserving humanity. Hans Jonas in particular argues that Kant’s categorical imperative does not reflect the responsibility needed in present actions in order to preserve not only present generations but also future generations. Technology has such a global impact on all of humanity and the environment that decisions made today must have an imperative of responsibility for the future of humanity.
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