Kant and De Waal When Term Paper

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This might or might not mean that a business owner would adhere to generally accepted laws and codes. I do not think that I would like to live in such a world, since contradictions might too easily arise. Instead, I would add an extra element to the categorical imperative suggested by Kant.

De Waal's theory adds a dimension to Kant's categorical imperative. He claims that even animals have a culture of compassion and reciprocity, which is echoed in the human race. According to this theory, the rational mind is not the sole element in human decision making, but emotions such as empathy and compassion also play a role. One might therefore modify the maxim by saying I would maximize my profits within reasonable limits of empathy and reciprocity. In other words, as a business owner, I would empathize with the financial plight of my workers by paying them according to their position and the hours that they work rather than according to an artificial minimum imposed by wage laws. Also, I would ensure the highest quality of materials to provide my customers with value for their money.

Reciprocity would then occur when customers keep returning and when worker turnover is minimized. With this in view, one might therefore move the profit drive towards a less prominent position in the maxim, which might be changed to focus more on human relationships: I will maximize wages and the quality of material within reason to maintain good relationships with my clients and employees.

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This is a world I would rather live in than one in which maximizing profits is the primary maxim.

What this comes down to is that a manager who follows Kant's purely rational reasoning process would depend greatly upon his or her individual moral compass for providing fair products and services at a fair price and at fair wages for workers. The profit margin would also be a greater determiner of outcome for such business managers. A person following De Waal's principle, on the other hand, would experience greater goodwill towards other human beings, which will then be the primary determiner of his or her actions, while the profit margin takes a secondary position.

In personal terms, I would prefer to live in a world where I would show compassion to my subordinates as fellow human beings, rather than regarding them as an instrument towards a higher profit margin. Even if my Kantian principle obliges me to adhere to the general laws of the country and of business to maximize my reputation, there is simply too much opportunity for individually held lack of morals. I would rather be driven by my compassion for others than purely by the importance of maximizing my profit margin. By maximizing the sense of loyalty between myself, my customers, and my employees, I expect to maximize my profit in the long-term, even if this is not immediately apparent in the short-term......

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