Document Type : Academic research papers
Authors
1
Department of Philosophy-Faculty of Women for Arts, Science & Education-Ain Shams University – Egypt
2
Professor of Modern and Contemporary Philosophy and Ethics, Departmen of Philosophy, Faculty of Women for Arts, Science & Education, Ain Shams University, Egypt
3
Professor of Contemporary Philosophy and Philosophy of Values Department of Philosophy, Faculty Faculty of Women for Arts, Science & Education, Ain Shams University, Egypt
4
Lecturer of Modern and Contemporary Philosophy, Faculty of Women for Arts, Science & Education, Ain Shams University, Egypt
Abstract
The current study deals with the critical aspect of Williams' moral philosophy, as it focuses on criticizing two of the largest philosophical trends; namely the utilitarian trend and the Kantian doctrine. Williams is considered as one of the biggest enemies of the utilitarian doctrine, as he devoted a large portion of his writings to criticizing and attacking it. He mentioned the reasons that prompted him to criticize Utilitarianism, the most important of which was the attraction factors of utilitarianism as an ethical theory. In this regard, utilitarianism was criticized because it is not based on any religious consideration and subjects everything to quantitative measurement. Furthermore, Williams criticized Bentham and Mill's principle of happiness. Then, he addressed the issue of negative responsibility in which he criticized utilitarianism for forcing individuals to perform actions.
Williams turned to criticize the Kantian doctrine claiming that it contains many shortcomings such as neglecting the role of individuals’ personal projects. Williams also rejected the strictness of Kantianism, its adherence to the principle of duty and absolute command, and its dismissal of the role of individuals’ personal emotions and feelings because they are irrational. He also criticized the idea of law and moral obligation because it is based on the perceptions of pure reason. This is what Williams rejected. In his criticism of Kant's moral doctrine, Williams tried to reduce the formality of this doctrine, and concluded that moral theories must be subject to living experience, emotions and feelings.
Keywords: utilitarianism; consequentialism; negative responsibility; integrity; personal projects.
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