Foundations of Ethics: Kant's Practical Reason & Industrial Revolution

Foundations of Ethics: What Should I Do?

Kant has already answered the question, I know, but man is not only a subject who knows, but a being who acts and uses his reason to guide their action. So, we humans not only make theoretical use of reason but also make practical use of it. The question, "What should I do?", is what Kant will analyze in the ethical realm, and above all, he will see that ethical materials share a common trait.

Objections to Material Ethics

These materials have ethical objections:

• Empirical Ethics: We say what we do, and we avoid it. Its content comes from experience and is based on observation. These ethics are full of rules and are defined as hypothetical.
• Heteronomous Ethics: These are justified in terms of interests that are dependent on the individual and unrelated to reason.

For Kant, ethics should be based on universal human autonomy (based on freedom and the ability of human reason). That is possible only within rational ethics. The imperatives of this ethics are not hypothetical but are categorical, forcing fulfillment without conditions or exceptions. It says, "What you do not want for yourself, do not want for others." They are a priori because reason tells us what we should do.

The Thought of the Industrial Revolution

Historical Context and Cultural Revolutions of the 19th Century

The 19th century was a revolutionary century, both in the economic field, especially from the point of view of industrialization. The Industrial Revolution led to a new social system: capitalism. This system altered groups and social relationships. It was structured with two new social classes: the proletariat and the bourgeoisie. Neither was recognized politically, which led to the liberal revolutions of the 19th century.

Evolutionism and Positivism

The 19th century was a time of significant scientific development. New sciences and new discoveries appeared. Within this context, two theories that arose in the scientific or philosophical field stand out: Darwinism and Comte's positivism (a social theory that became a philosophical theory about human beings, history, and science). The dynamism of the theory also manifested itself in other sciences that emerged, such as sociology and psychology.

Auguste Comte's Positivism

Comte proposes the goal of social reform. He believed it was necessary to transform the study of social relations into a positive study in which humanity would enjoy peace and stability. Comte's positivism is based on faith in progress, with faith in science that will lead to a lasting improvement in humans by rationally resolving their needs.