Immanuel Kant’s Ethical Theory of deontology

by | Jan 3, 2025 | philosophy

Discuss Immanuel Kant’s Ethical Theory, i.e., deontology and how it may apply to modern policing ethical practices. In doing so, describe the theory of deontology and provide some historical background pertaining to Kant (born 1724 – died 1804). No direct quotes should be used in the response. In addition, briefly in your own words how may ethics may apply to understanding the symbolic meaning of the image of lady justice.

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Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.


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God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Immanuel Kant, a prominent 18th-century German philosopher, developed deontological ethics, a moral theory that emphasizes duty and universal moral principles.  

Deontology focuses on the inherent rightness or wrongness of actions themselves, regardless of their consequences. Kant argued that certain actions are inherently wrong, such as lying or breaking promises, even if they might lead to positive outcomes. He introduced the concept of the “categorical imperative,” a universal moral law that applies to all rational beings. This imperative states that one should act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law. In essence, an action is morally right only if it can be consistently applied to everyone without contradiction.  

In the context of modern policing, Kantian ethics can provide a framework for ethical decision-making. For example, police officers should always act with respect for the inherent dignity and rights of all individuals, regardless of their social status or perceived threat level. This principle emphasizes the importance of treating all suspects fairly and justly, even those accused of serious crimes.  

Immanuel Kant, a prominent 18th-century German philosopher, developed deontological ethics, a moral theory that emphasizes duty and universal moral principles.  

Deontology focuses on the inherent rightness or wrongness of actions themselves, regardless of their consequences. Kant argued that certain actions are inherently wrong, such as lying or breaking promises, even if they might lead to positive outcomes. He introduced the concept of the “categorical imperative,” a universal moral law that applies to all rational beings. This imperative states that one should act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law. In essence, an action is morally right only if it can be consistently applied to everyone without contradiction.  

In the context of modern policing, Kantian ethics can provide a framework for ethical decision-making. For example, police officers should always act with respect for the inherent dignity and rights of all individuals, regardless of their social status or perceived threat level. This principle emphasizes the importance of treating all suspects fairly and justly, even those accused of serious crimes.  

Furthermore, Kantian ethics can guide police officers in upholding the rule of law and acting impartially. Officers should always act in accordance with established laws and regulations, even when faced with personal biases or pressures. This ensures that justice is administered fairly and consistently to all members of society.

Regarding the symbolic meaning of Lady Justice, ethics plays a crucial role in understanding its representation. Lady Justice is often depicted blindfolded, symbolizing impartiality and the equal treatment of all individuals before the law. The scales she holds represent the weighing of evidence and the pursuit of justice. The sword symbolizes the authority and power of the law.  

From an ethical perspective, these symbols highlight the importance of fairness, impartiality, and the equal application of justice to all members of society. Lady Justice serves as a reminder of the ethical principles that should guide the administration of justice, ensuring that everyone is treated fairly and justly, regardless of their background, social status, or personal circumstances.   

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