Immanuel Kant And The Categorical Imperative - 1437 Words

Immanuel Kant, a German philosopher, specifically a deontologist, has two imperatives: the hypothetical imperative and the categorical imperative. These imperatives describe what we ought to do and are only applicable to rational beings because they are the only beings that recognize what they ought or ought not to do. The hypothetical imperative is when an individual’s actions are reasoned by their desire, so they only act with the intention of fulfilling their desires. The categorical imperative is what human beings ought to do for their own sake regardless of whatever else they might desire. The categorical imperative has two formulations. Kant’s first formulation of the categorical imperative states that one ought to only act on maxims that can be used as universal law. This formulation is based on its urgency and unity in the society. When a maxim cannot be determined a universal law, then it is morally impermissible to act upon it. Apply this formulation to the example of the lying promise: this cannot be willed as a universal law because trust will no longer be a part of society. If everyone were to make a lying promise to get money without retribution, then people will eventually recognize they are being deceived, which will result in a more selfish community. When one wills something as a universal law, then it is for the intention to better the state and community. This proves that the lying promise is not a maxim to live by. Kant’s second formulation ofShow MoreRelatedThe Categorical Imperative : Immanuel Kant842 Words   |  4 PagesThe categorical imperative is Immanuel Kant’s improvement on the Golden rule and all rules associated with the Golden Rule. We are called by Kant to act as how we wish all others to act. According to an article in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, â€Å"Kant characterized the [categorical imperative] as an objective, rationally necessary and unconditional principle that we m ust always follow despite any natural desires or inclinations we may have to the contrary† (Johnson and Cureton). The categoricalRead MoreImmanuel Kant s Categorical Imperative878 Words   |  4 PagesI would not take any shoes or clothing to wear based on Kant’s categorical imperative: do what’s right no matter the cost, and utilitarianism: the greater good of the whole, altruism: love your neighbor. The problem in this scenario is that the counselors at the camp for needy children are stealing cloths and shoes that were donated for the children and are encouraging me to partake in taking the items as well. My solution to this problem would not only be not to participate, but to report the otherRead MoreJohn Stuart Mill s Utilitarianism And Immanuel Kant s Categorical Imperative1487 Words   |  6 Pagesof moral philosophies one can align themselves with, but two major categories of moral philosophy are the most popular and the most debated. These are John Stuart Mill’s Utilitarianism and Immanuel Kant’s Categorical Imperative. In looking at the three trolley cases, one can align themselves with either Mill, Kant or create their own perspective. Utilitarianism is defended by Mill in his writing entitled Utilitarianism. This method of deciphering good versus bad is rather simple. The PrincipleRead MoreImmanuel Kant (1724-1804) is better known for his Categorical Imperative Theory in which he bases600 Words   |  3 PagesImmanuel Kant (1724-1804) is better known for his Categorical Imperative Theory in which he bases the standard of rationality on fundamental moral principle. Mill’s on the other hand focuses on the Greatest Happiness Principle or the principle of utility. With regards to similarities between them Kant and Mills seem to have universal morality rules where Kant (duties) address one’s own will to be a universal law of nature and Mills (subordinate principles) acknowledging the same actions for all humansRead MoreKantian Ethics And The Categorical Imperative Essay1581 Words   |  7 PagesPractical Reason Book, I, Immanuel Kant, a prominent late Enlightenment Era German philosopher discusses h is most famous ethical theory, the â€Å"Categorical Imperative.† The â€Å"Categorical Imperative† is a proposed universal law in stating all humans are forbidden from certain actions regardless of consequences. Although this is the general definition of this ethical theory, the Categorical Imperative† exists in two above formulations, A strict interpretation of Categorical Imperative and a more liberal interpretationRead MoreEssay about Kants Formalism Theory716 Words   |  3 PagesKants Formalism Theory The theories of Immanuel Kant, a German philosopher, have had an impact on the formulation and shaping of ethics today. Immanuel Kant graced this earth from 1724 to 1804. During his eighty year life time, he formulated many interesting ideas regarding ethical conduct and motivation. Kant is strictly a non-consequentialist philosopher, which means that he believes that a persons choices should have nothing to do with the desired outcome, but instead mankind simplyRead MoreAnalysis of Immanuel Kants Arguements in The Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysic of Morals†542 Words   |  3 PagesControversies course textbook, Immanuel Kant argues that the view of the world and its laws is structured by human concepts and categories, and the rationale of it is the source of morality which depends upon belief in the existence of God. In Kant’s work, categorical imperative was established in order to have a standard rationale from where all moral requirements derive. Therefore, categorical imperative is an obligation to act morally, out of duty and good will alone. In Immanuel Kant’s writing human reasonRead More Kants Formalism Theory Essay715 Words   |  3 Pages Kants Formalism Theory nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; The theories of Immanuel Kant, a German philosopher, have had an impact on the formulation and shaping of ethics today. Immanuel Kant graced this earth from 1724 to 1804. During his eighty year life time, he formulated many interesting ideas regarding ethical conduct and motivation. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Kant is strictly a non-consequentialist philosopher, which means that he believes that a persons choices should have nothing to doRead MoreEssay about The Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals1064 Words   |  5 Pagesquestions Immanuel Kant answers in, â€Å"The Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals†. Kant discusses many questions with arguable answers, which explains why he is one of the most controversial philosophers still today. Throughout Kant’s work, multiple ideas are considered, but the Categorical Imperative is one of the most prevalent. Though this concept is extremely dense, the Categorical Imperative is the law of freedom that grounds pure ethics of the metaphysics of ethics. Categorical imperatives are theRead MoreEssay on Role of Happiness in Ethical Decisions1209 Words   |  5 Pagesunderstanding, and ends with reason. There is nothing higher than reason† (Kant 1). The usage of reason as a representation of oneâ€℠¢s intellect is a common trait in the 21st century. Happiness, a positive emotion, tends to blur one’s judgement and coerces philosophers to look upon its relevance when formulating ethical decisions. When considering the role of emotion in ethical decisions, one must consider the contrasting views of Immanuel Kant, an 18th Prussian philosopher that focussed his philosophies around