Rationality is the quality of being consistent based on logic. We use rationality daily in order to make decisions, and carry out our lives. Self-love is a regard of one’s own interest, which is an outcome of the decisions that are made from a rational point. The connection that Kant believes that if one does not follow categorical imperative, they are considered irrational. We used the example of suicide in class. According to categorical imperative, the maxim that is to be tested is: from self love a person makes it their notion to end their life, because living longer will cause more pain than happiness. The act of committing suicide is an individual’s motive. The maxim of suicide cannot be considered as a law of nature therefore the act is morally wrong. Therefore the wrongness of this act is based on one’s motives.
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November 17, 2008 at 6:29 pm
I agree with your idea of how rationality and self-love are connected. I do believe that in order to act in our own self-interest you must use rationality. Rationality allows us to not go against our self-interest, like suicide.
November 23, 2008 at 11:01 pm
Right because a rational person would see suicide as defeating the purpose, so you kill yourself because that is the only way you can escape your misery and make you happy again, but how do we know it will make us happy if we kill ourselves and we are not alive to live in happiness again.