The Struggle for Freedom: Kant’s Perspective on Human Free Will

Introduction

Immanuel Kant, one of the most influential philosophers in Western moral philosophy, emphasizes freedom and human free will. In his ethical philosophy, Kant argues that people possess a unique capacity for rational autonomy, which allows them to make alternatives primarily based on motive (Kant). But the question arises as to whether or not Kant believes that we are usually free or if we ought to struggle to gain genuine freedom. This essay will argue that Kant posits that attaining liberty requires ongoing struggle. Furthermore, this struggle shows that our lives involve continual warfare, in which victory is never confident, and the chance of loss looms over us.

Kant’s Concept of Freedom

According to Kant, freedom isn’t the absence of external constraints but rather the capability to behave according to one’s rational nature, guided by ethical ideas. In his moral philosophy, Kant distinguishes between the phenomenal and noumenal realms. The phenomenal realm consists of appearances governed by causal determinism, while the noumenal realm represents freedom in which ethical movements are feasible. Kant argues that people can transcend the phenomenal realm and act as self-reliant agents in the noumenal realm. Freedom, for Kant, lies in our potential to behave consistently with motive and moral principles, unbiased of external impacts or dispositions. But, at the same time, as freedom is a possibility, it isn’t always automatically granted (Kant, 37). Kant recognizes that we’re frequently stimulated by our goals, dispositions, and outside circumstances, which could hinder our ability to behave autonomously.

The Struggle for Freedom

Kant posits that the attainment of freedom calls for a non-stop battle. He recognizes that our natural dispositions and desires frequently lead us astray from ethical ideas, stopping us from acting according to reason. Consequently, actual freedom necessitates a war to conquer these dispositions and align our moves with the moral law. Kant introduces the concept of the “categorical imperative,” a normal ethical regulation that demands individuals to behave according to ideas that could be willed as prevalent laws (Paton, 25). This vital serves as a guiding precept for people to act morally and achieve freedom. However, Kant acknowledges that following the categorical imperative isn’t always easy because it calls for us to suppress our private inclinations and act entirely on the idea of purpose.

The war for freedom, as described by Kant, entails a struggle between our tendencies and our rational nature. It signifies the anxiety about what we choose and what cause dictates as morally correct. This struggle manifests itself in ordinary decisions, in which we must constantly compare our actions and try to align them with moral ideas. Moreover, Kant argues that the conflict for freedom isn’t constrained to external factors but also encompasses internal warfare within ourselves. It includes the cultivation of our rational capacities and the development of moral virtues. This inner battle calls for self-reflection, individual discipline, and an ongoing dedication to moral growth.

The Battle for Freedom and its Implications

Kant’s assertion that we must battle to obtain freedom suggests that our lives involve a continual war. The consistent anxiety among our inclinations and our rational nature characterizes this conflict. It implies that freedom isn’t a state we effortlessly attain but an ongoing process of self-reflection, self-discipline, and moral growth. The warfare for freedom indicates that victory is in no way assured. It displays the inherent trouble of acting according to motive and ethical principles. People are susceptible to temptation, weaknesses, and irrationality, which could prevent their pursuit of freedom (Prof. Paton). Therefore, the battle for freedom turns into a lifelong endeavor, requiring individuals to be vigilant in their ethical choice-making and self-examination.

Works Cited

Kant, Emmanuel. Chapter Two: Groundwork. pp. 36–40.

Kant, Immanuel. “Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals.” Immanuel Kant. Routledge, 2020. 17-98.

Prof. Paton’s. “Analysis of the Argument: Outline of a Metaphysics of Morals.” Groundwork, by Kant.