A Kantian Critique of "Sorry" by Justin Bieber

Using Kantian moral philosophy, this article argues that Justin Bieber's "Sorry" fundamentally misunderstands what an apology is by framing it as a strategic tool to regain forgiveness rather than a moral duty. Bieber's repeated questions about whether it's too late, his language of "one more shot," and his admission that he's primarily missing the person (not confronting his wrongs) all demonstrate he views the apology as a means to an end rather than an unconditional moral obligation. According to Kantian ethics, a true apology should stem from duty regardless of whether forgiveness is possible, not from self-interested desire to restore what was lost.