A Review and Critique of the Negative Nature of Happiness in Kant's Deontological Ethics

As a subjective basis of all actions, happiness is one of the most important concepts in ethics, .However, according to Kant's ethics, this concept cannot be a foundation or motivation for general and absolute ethics. The aim of this paper is to investigate why happiness is ignored in Kant's ethics. It begins with the definition of happiness and then considers the critiques and the principles of Kant's ethics that are in contrast with seeking happiness .At last, the paper is concluded with some criticisms. The aim of ethics is setting categorical and unconditional rules which the experimental principle of happiness cannot provide. Emphasizing on the objectivity of the rules of man’s intellect, Kant’s formal ethics regards paying attention to experimental end and matter as harmful.. However, happiness is a subjective and personal issue whose provisions can neither be general nor do they necessarily result in happiness, because happiness is often provided by nature. The most important critique to this kind of ethics is denying the role of seeking happiness as a motive for moral action. Moral actions need either the support of God for its obligations and prohibitions or the consideration of personal happiness, both of which Kant's ethics lacks.