A Kantian Critique of "Sorry" by Justin Bieber

The song "Sorry" by Justin Bieber raises a central moral question, "Is it too late to say sorry?" However, this inquiry is not inherently moral when examined through a Kantian perspective. The song's focus shifts from the nature of the wrongdoing to what the singer stands to gain from making amends. Bieber's apology is not rooted in a moral duty to rectify the wrong he did, but rather as a potential strategy to regain something he values—be it forgiveness, redemption, or second chances. This is evident in phrases like "Could someone call a referee?" and "one more shot at forgiveness."

Moreover, Bieber's admissions of mistakes further highlight the self-interested nature of his apology. He claims to have made mistakes but does not seem to acknowledge the gravity of his actions or the impact they had on others. Instead, the song centers on the singer's desire for reconciliation and restoration, rather than a genuine expression of remorse.

Lines like "I’ll take every single piece of the blame if you want me to" and "can we both say the words and forget this?" indicate a focus on closure rather than moral responsibility.

The moral failure of the song lies in its framing of an apology as a tool to secure desired outcomes, rather than as an act grounded in duty and respect for the dignity of the wronged party. Bieber's apology, under this scrutiny, fails to meet the criteria of a moral apology as described by Kant. Therefore, the song's central question ironically underscores the very moral transgression it attempts to address.