The definition of good will is very evident by Kant. People these days, when asked why they did something, usually say it was the right thing to do. I don't believe that all people are like that now a days. People may say that it was the right thing to do, but most would actually do it to make them look better or so they didn't look bad. Which, in Kant's definition, would not be good will.
Good will in the modern world is very rare now. Only in the most extreme situations does good will show in people. After doing a good deed, the person should feel good about performing the deed in a way of service, not reward. Kant says that good will will overcome every circumstance, so maybe the world needs to start doing good deeds for the sake of good will instead of personal gain.
Kant also says that good will will overcome the circumstance even if a bad event occurs. So, lets say there was a child walking out in front of a bus and an adult pulls the boy out of the street, but ends up dislocating the boys arm. That would not effect the adults morals, since he was trying to do a good will.
I do agree with you Jessica that there are people who do good things for the sake of honor and recognition. However, the quote "After doing a good deed, the person should feel good about performing the deed in a way of service, not reward" has a bit of contradiction in relation to your whole post. Kant's argument is that preforming a good deed should be independent of feelings or rewards. An interesting note to make is that feelings can lead to rewards. If someone feels good after performing a good deed, the reward will be happiness for that person. In some cases, the reward (along with happiness) may be pride and boastfulness. Moreover, happiness is not good conditionally good in itself in that even if one is happy, that person also requires a good will. Kant argues that a good will is one in which one fulfills his/her duty. So, when doing a good deed, a person should state that it was his/her duty to perform that deed. He/she ought to do it since he/she is capable of doing it.
ReplyDeleteI differently agree with you. People today are a lot more self-centered, and vain. Many people care more about getting ahead in life, and less and less about morals.
ReplyDeleteI differently agree with you. People today are a lot more self-centered, and vain. Many people care more about getting ahead in life, and less and less about morals.
ReplyDeleteI differently agree with you. People today are a lot more self-centered, and vain. Many people care more about getting ahead in life, and less and less about morals.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that doing good for the sake of good is much more uncommon in today's world. Many people are motivated by greed and status. This is evident from every class in our society, including the wealthiest class. I feel like if we, as a community, put more emphasis in the world on service and good deeds instead of buying things, we could have more service and good will.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. People today just do a good deed to get recognition or just saying it was the right thing to do. People in today's society rarely do good deeds without looking for some type of pat on the back. The society in a whole have lost their beliefs in their morals.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you because people often do the good will to look better. Also, people do not always do the good will to benefit others. Today's society definitely start doing the good will to mean it. People tend to be selfish.
ReplyDelete