Immanuel Kant and the Ethics of Leadership Essay

In chapter three of The moral philosophy of leadershiphip, Joanne B. Ciulla, introduces the moral philosophy of Prussian philosopher, Immanuel Kant, who developed a set of ethical motive to guide our decisions and help us judge whether certain actions are mor totallyy correct. Kants moral theory does not look at all into consequences and has a very strict view of devotion which can sometimes departure between duty and self-interest. Ciulla mentions the story of David and Bathsheba in the Bible and asserts, Leaders are often tempted to lie because they believe they either wont get caught, or they can cover up their lies. (Ciulla, 94) This assertion go ever so true in light of the recent scandals involving the emergence in U. S. political leaders that dupe confessed to criminal conversation. As marriage and family are often regarded as a basis of confederation, a story of adultery often shows the conflict between social pressure and individual struggle for merriment. Adulte ry is a very American topic. We have been redefining the parameters of its acceptability and taboo with each wise generation since the Scarlet Letter.Why is American society becoming so obsessed with these types of scandals and what does it say about the morality of our society? possibly society is not solely obsessed with the adultery itself maybe society is much obsessed with its leaders fall from grace. Sexual affairs have been a part of U. S. politics since Thomas Jefferson. However, politicians affairs were generally unplowed outside the purview of the public eye. Over the years we have began to project a change.Society is somehow fascinated with the whole idea of adultery and the entertainment industry celebrates it and portrays it mostly in a very romantic light. I am guilty of watching shows such as The estimable Wife, a show about the wife and family of a politician involved in a sexual scandal or dread(a) Housewives that romanticize and make adultery seem like the properly liaison to do if you need a little excitement in your life. Perhaps by watching TV shows like this, atomic number 53 is being well-educated to do what makes him or her happy or do some(prenominal) feels true or right.Oftentimes, whatever feels right is described as whatever comes easily or naturally for an individual. Our society seems obsessed with finding happiness which the Kantian philosophy totally opposes. According to Kantian philosophy, every one of us is a moral agent. We give the moral law to ourselves by asking ourselves if we are doing the right thing only for sake of doing the right thing. One may neer find happiness, feel comfortable fashioning the right, or morally correct decision under the Kantian philosophy.The morally harbord thing in the universe is the rational world being that can give the law to himself or herself and our moral actions should be extending human beings as morally valuable. According to Kant, we should never treat a human bein g in such a way that we relegate to respect the intrinsic human dignity of the human being. In essence, we should never treat anyone as a means to an end or treat a person against his or her dignity. Now let us production to the issue of the politician and his or her effectiveness as a leader. Is the morality of the message dependent upon the morality of the messenger?Although the morality of the message is non dependent upon the morality of the messenger, I think that the message has a faraway greater impact coming from someone who practices or lives it on a daily basis. Perhaps Americans are so fascinated with politicians and their adulterous scandals habituated that they presented a false image of themselves. It would be refreshing to have a politician simply be honest and say, Im not currently living up to this ideal, but I do value it. Granted that could cost a politician the election but that would be the right thing to do according to Kant.