Kant argues that Benjamin Constant is mistaken about his views on lying. What duty does Kant think we actually have regarding telling lies?
The correct answer and explanation is:
Kant argues that Benjamin Constant is mistaken in his views on lying, particularly in cases where lying might seem to prevent harm. According to Kant, the duty not to lie is absolute, and it is not dependent on the consequences of the lie. For Kant, lying is morally wrong under any circumstances, as it violates a fundamental moral principle—the categorical imperative.
Kant believes that humans must act according to universal maxims that could be consistently willed by everyone without contradiction. When it comes to lying, Kant argues that if everyone lied, trust and communication would break down, making it impossible to have any meaningful exchanges. Thus, lying cannot be justified, even if it might prevent harm in the short term.
He views truth-telling as a duty that arises from the respect for the moral law and the inherent dignity of individuals. Lying, in his view, treats the person being lied to as a means to an end, rather than as an end in themselves. This is in direct opposition to Kant’s moral philosophy, which holds that individuals must always be treated with respect and never merely as tools for achieving someone else’s goals.
Benjamin Constant, on the other hand, argues that in certain situations—such as when lying could protect someone from harm or death—lying is morally permissible. Kant rejects this argument, maintaining that lying is always wrong, regardless of the outcome. For Kant, adhering to moral duty is more important than calculating the potential benefits or harms of a particular action.
In summary, Kant believes that our duty is to tell the truth in all circumstances. Lying is always morally wrong, and there are no exceptions. His emphasis is on the importance of duty and the inherent value of truth-telling in maintaining moral integrity.