Ethics of maxims
With Maxim ethics such concepts are moral philosophy called, in which subjective principles of action ( maxims are) with a general supreme rule of morality connected. The term is used to distinguish it from moral-philosophical concepts in which actions are directly judged on the basis of general rules or norms . An ethics of maxims is still in opposition to an ethics of purpose (teleological ethics, e.g. virtue ethics in Aristotle ) or to an ethics of goods (striving for a highest good , e.g. utility in utilitarianism ).
The concept of maxims is a basic element of Immanuel Kant's ethics . In laying the foundations for the metaphysics of morals , he first formulated the categorical imperative, which in its basic formula reads:
"The categorical imperative is only one, namely this: only act according to the maxim through which you can also want it to become a general law."
As a subjective principle of volition, maxims are principles of action for different cases in an area of life, which a person chooses in order to then orient their actions towards the pursuit of a purpose. Maxims represent the bridge between the formal categorical imperative and the practical will of an acting subject .
Features and benefits
According to Michael Albrecht, maxims have at least the following properties:
- Maxims determine action (130)
- Maxims are practical principles (130)
- Maxims are subjective and self-designed (131)
- Maxims contain a matter (132)
- Maxims contain a voluntary commitment (132)
- Maxim are character-forming (133)
- There is a hierarchical relationship between maxims (137)
- Maxims are more general than simple rules of action (138)
- Maxims serve to check decisions before actions (139)
Otfried Höffe names eight advantages of a maxim ethic:
- Maxim are open to different living conditions because they are formulated across the board. This allows you to react flexibly in the respective context.
- The agent can consider his individual abilities in his maxims.
- In a maxim ethic, the demand for the development of character virtues can be taken into account.
- An ethics of maxims demands and enables the use of judgment.
- A maxim ethic is possible regardless of culture and zeitgeist.
- A maxim ethic makes it possible to develop one's own context of life and meaning.
- A maxim ethic is a good basis for a moral education.
- Maxims help to justify actions.
Micha H. Werner transferred the concept of maxim ethics to discourse ethics .
literature
- Michael Albrecht: Kant's ethics of maxims, Kant studies 85 (2/1994), 129–146
- Otfried Höffe: The art of living and ethics of maxims. Two models of philosophical orientation, in: Michael Zichy, Herwig Grimm (Ed.): Praxis in der Ethik. For reflection on methods in application-oriented moral philosophy, de Gruyter, Berlin 2008, 71–86
- Otfried Höffe: Autonomy and generalization as a moral principle, in: Fritz Oser, Reinhard Fatke, Otfried Höffe (eds.): Transformation and development. Basics of moral education, Suhrkamp, Frankfurt 1997
- Maria Schwartz: The concept of the maxim in Kant. An investigation of the concept of maxims in Kant's practical philosophy, Lit, Berlin 2006
- Micha H. Werner: Discourse ethics as maxim ethics. From the justification of principles to action orientation. Königshausen & Neumann, Würzburg 2003
Individual evidence
- ^ Peter Prechtl, Franz-Peter Burkard (ed.): Metzler Lexicon of Philosophy, JB Metzler; 3rd edition 2008 ( article online )
- ↑ Dieter Schönecker, Allen W. Wood: Immanuel Kant, "Basis for the Metaphysics of Morals". 4th edition. Schöningh, Paderborn 2011, 104; Kant: One maxim is a "rule of the agent, which he makes a principle for himself for subjective reasons" (MSR, AA VI, 225)
- ↑ Michael Albrecht: Kant's ethics of maxims, Kant studies 85 (2/1994), 129-146
- ^ Otfried Höffe: The art of living and ethics of maxims. Two models of philosophical orientation, in: Michael Zichy, Herwig Grimm (Ed.): Praxis in der Ethik. For reflection on methods in application-oriented moral philosophy, de Gruyter, Berlin 2008, 82-85