Kant And Confucius Essay On Respect

Respect is a feeling of deep admiration for something or someone evoked by that person’s capabilities, accomplishments, and achievements. It is a topic that has been debated on and discussed from the philosophical points of east and west throughout history. Despite the fact that we have a definition for respect, it is still difficult to grasp the understanding of what respect really is. This essay will focus on the two main philosophers interesting views on respect; Immanuel Kant, and Confucius, and on how the meaning of respect has evolved thought time.

Confucius was a Chinese philosopher, teacher, and politician who lived in 551 BC. Confucius’ philosophy heavily focused on personal and government morality, equity, and integrity. Confucius’ principles went hand in hand with ancient Chinese tradition and belief; family loyalty, respect for elders by anyone tied into the family (children, wives/husbands), and having family as the ideal basis of authority. Confucius’ ethics were based on self representation opposed to given rules. He embraced

Kant was a German philosopher who lived from 1724- 1804, which was a lot later then Confucius. Kant claimed that moral requirements; respect, are based on a standard of rationality Kent’s moral philosophy is based around the categorical imperative, which is a a way of evaluating motivations for action. Kant said that the moral law must be a reason for acting which is equally obligatory on all individuals, regardless of what they want. Kant refers to this as “objective.” Although, of course, people do not always follow the moral laws because there are other factors which affect a persons judgment to which Kent calls “subjective.” To clarify Kent is saying that although we don 't always want to obey the moral law applies us certain obligations which are shown as imperatives, “statement of obligation. It tells you what you ought to