What Kant Says About Happiness and Morality

Kant's philosophical stance on morality is quite different from the increasingly popular utilitarian ethics of his time. He argued that morality is not primarily about happiness but about duty. This means that while one cannot deny the importance of happiness, it is not the ultimate goal or the measure of right conduct. Kant believed that doing one's moral duty by treating oneself and others as invaluable individuals would naturally lead to happiness.

Contrasting Views on Happiness and Morality

Some may argue that our happiness is the ultimate goal, aligning with the ideas of Aristotle. However, Kant's perspective is quite distinct. According to Kant, our essence and being is happiness itself. This perspective shifts the focus away from external conditions that might lead to happiness and instead emphasizes personal worthiness and duty.

One key quote from Kant reads, 'The moral is not properly the doctrine of how we may make ourselves happy but how we shall get engaged with happiness ourselves because “würdig werden” is a concept that is extremely difficult to get wrong.' This comes from his seminal work, the Critique of Practical Reason, specifically at page 130. The German phrase 'würdig werden' translates as becoming worthy or deserving, and this is a crucial concept for understanding Kant's philosophy on morality.

The Inherent Complexity of Happiness

Kant also distinguishes the nature of happiness, noting that happiness is the result of feelings that modify and contrast with one another. According to him, kindred feelings can indeed sum up and contribute to a state of happiness. However, the complexity of human life and emotions means that there exists a contrasting feeling for each one, leading to an equilibrium. Therefore, any theory based solely on the presence of certain feelings to achieve happiness is fundamentally flawed.

Furthermore, Kant asserts that happiness cannot be derived from our animal instincts or merely from natural tendencies. Rather, it is an idea that arises from our reason, something that exists in our conceptual framework but is impractical to achieve empirically. Nature does not aim to ensure our well-being and happiness, so the responsibility lies with us to cultivate a sense of worthiness and contribution to our own lives and well-being.

Making Ourselves Worthy of Life

In essence, Kant’s philosophy tells us that happiness is not a given but a result of our actions and our pursuit of worthiness. He believed that it is through our adherence to moral duties and treating ourselves and others with respect and dignity that we can truly become worthy of the happiness we seek. This perspective shifts the focus from external conditions to internal states, emphasizing the importance of our actions and moral conduct.