Moral argument - Kant

Kant was a philosopher who analysed Aquinas 4th way and devised his proof for God based on morality as he stated that we all have a sense of innate moral awareness thus there must be something that drives us to be moral, that being God. Firstly, he explained the rationality of moral behaviour. He stated that we all have a sense of innate moral awareness therefore from this we are under obligation to be virtuous. An average level of virtue is not enough, we are obliged to aim for the highest standard possible and that true virtue should be rewarded with happiness. This happiness is called Summum bonum. This is the ideal state where human virtue and happiness are united. Moral statements are prescriptive therefore ought implies can. It is beyond u to ensure that we are rewarded with happiness therefore there must be a God who had power to ensure that virtue and happiness coincide. Secondly, he stated that we have good reason to be moral. This is because if we ought to do something it means that we have actual reason to do it. Moral reason is always a stronger reason for doing something than any other reason thus we must be moral. Thirdly, he stated that moral behaviour is only rational if justice be done as it would be rational if there were no guarantee that it would be rewarded. This evident in our world since sin often profits more than righteousness, and then surely it is sinful rather than righteous behaviour that would be rational. If there are no comebacks for immorality then it is rational for use to whatever benefits us the most regardless of whether it is right or wrong. We would not be moral if there were no comebacks for immorality thus if justice will ultimately be done then we have a reason to be moral. In addition, Kant argued that justice will only be done if God exists. It is clear that justice is not administered in this life since

some cheats prosper, some crime pays and bad things happen to good people. People do not always, or even often, get what they deserve. Basically life is not fair. If this life is all there is, then, justice

is not done, and so moral behaviour is not rational. There had to be something more thus Kant stated that in the afterlife God will reward us. He believed that this was with summum bonnum as God is the only Supreme Being who is able to make sure human virtue and happiness coincide together. With this we can explain the rationality of morality.