Western Thought Reflection Paper
Introduction
Western though is associated with cultural traditions. The cultural traditions help trace the origin of western thought to Greek thought, and brahamic religion. Western thought is an evolution that began with various philosophers of Athens like Aristotle, and Plato. Western thought is important as it helps people understand humanity. Several theories have been established to address issues associated with humanity. Some of the theories include moral theory, political theory, utilitarian theory, and liberalism theory. These theories are developed by different people, and they work under different principles. This paper is a reflection of the moral theory. It analyzes the moral theory, and how it has made an impact in my life.
Moral theory
Moral theory is a theory developed by Kant to address the shortcomings of various theories like utilitarian theory (Skirbekk &Gilje 2001). Kant developed the moral theory because he did not agree with the principles used in utilitarian theory like pleasing every one. The moral theory has become a popular alternative to utilitarian theory. Utilitarian theory has several disadvantages in that it does not consider the moral elements like respect, human dignity, and individual rights. It does not consider protection for minority. Moral theory is different from other theories in that it does not ignore the moral elements like respect, human dignity and d protection for minority (Skirbekk &Gilje 2001). This has made the theory important in the modern society as it does not weigh the moral elements against anything else. In utilitarian theory all things are converted into pleasure, and happiness. In utilitarian theory, if one has to do something it should bring happiness to every one (Skirbekk &Gilje 2001). In addition, all things in utilitarian theory are converted into preferences or utility, and every thing has a common denominator. This makes it possible to have a formulae developed for assessing what one should as long as it is considered moral. Utilitarian theory allows one to do anything as long it is good, and it brings happiness to all people. The main idea in this theory is maximizing the overall happiness of the largest number. Thus, the theory is not good in the current society as it does not address human dignity, and issues like minority in the society (Skirbekk &Gilje 2001).
Kant’s moral theory does not encourage people to do anything as long as it makes everyone happy. This is because the action carried out might not be morally right, and it can affect other people like the minority in the society. Kant theory considers human dignity and other moral elements like respect as they are important in the society. This is because without respect and human dignity it is difficulty to consider humanity (Skirbekk &Gilje 2001).Kant’s moral theory does not consider the consequences of an action. The theory looks at what should be done regardless of the consequences (Skirbekk &Gilje 2001). It is not aimed at pleasing every one like utilitarian theory, but it considers whether the action is morally right. Kant encourages people to do the right thing without considering the consequences of the action. For example, if someone decides to help the poor then, the action is considered morally right as this person is doing the action out of will. The moral theory has made an impact in my life (Skirbekk &Gilje 2001). This is because the theory does not encourage people carry out action so as to please everyone. But, the theory encourages people to carry out actions that are, morally upright.
This means the actions carried out or decisions made should consider moral elements like human dignity, respect and protection for minority. This theory is applicable in many areas in life. This is because people need to respect the rights of other people when making decisions. For example, in an organization an employer should consider the rights of other employees when making decision, but not consider making every one happy (Skirbekk &Gilje 2001). The moral theory encourages people to value human dignity when carrying out any action. This is important as it helps protect humanity, and helps people live well in the society. The moral theory when used well can help people in the country represent the minority in the society (Skirbekk &Gilje 2001). This is because the theory is not aimed at making every one happy when making decisions. It is aimed at protecting, and representing the minority in the society as people have to make decisions that are ethical and morally upright even if they do not please all people. Thus, the theory has impacted my life a lot as it has helped me value every one in the society.I have learned a lot from the moral theory (Skirbekk &Gilje 2001). For example, I have learned how to make ethical decisions, and how to appreciate everyone.
An ethical decision in this theory is a decision that is considered to be morally right. I have come to know that every one can be represented well in the society by making decisions that are based on moral theory. This is because the theory only focuses on the morality of the action, but not any thing else (Skirbekk &Gilje 2001).I came to realize the importance of moral theory after comparing moral theory, and utilitarian theory (Skirbekk &Gilje 2001). From the comparison I found that moral theory can help someone make ethical decisions, but the utilitarian theory does not help one make ethical decision. This is because it does not support the moral elements like respect, human dignity, and minority. It is only aimed at making decisions that please every one. Thus, from the comparison I learned that moral theory can be useful to the society as it respects various moral elements. Though, moral theory does not consider the consequences of an action, it can guide someone in making ethical decisions (Skirbekk &Gilje 2001).The experience will have various impacts in my future. First, the experience will help me know how to make ethical decisions without wanting to impress everyone. This will be important as I will be able to consider the minority in the society when making decisions. It will also help me up hold various moral elements like respect and human dignity (Skirbekk &Gilje 2001).From the course theory I have learned how to respect other people, and how to make ethical decisions regardless of the consequences (Skirbekk &Gilje 2001).
Conclusion
The moral theory is better than other theory used in western thoughts like utilitarian theory. This is because the theory helps one learn how to make ethical decisions without considering whether they please everyone. It helps one represent the minority when making ethical decisions, and learns how to respect and value human dignity.
Reference
Skirbekk, Gunnar., &Gilje, Nils.A history of Western thought: from ancient Greece to the twentieth century. Routledge, 2001
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