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Comparing Kant's Categorical Imperative, The Golden Rule

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This paper will discuss the differences between Kant’s Categorical Imperative, the Golden Rule, and the Silver Rule. I will begin by introducing the definition of Kant’s categorical imperative along with the three formulations that it consists of. This will be followed by an explanation of the golden and silver rule, in addition to how the origins are steeply in connect with religion. As a final point I will discuss the juxtaposition between Kant’s categorical imperative, the golden rule and silver rule. Other terms will be included in the discussion such as egoism, sadism, and masochism to further distinguish the difference between these theories.
Kant’s Categorical Imperative
Immanuel Kant was a German philosopher and one of the most influential …show more content…
9). This formula is saying that we should treat people with respect that, as people, they deserve (Grosch & Large, 1994, p. 9). It is also saying to treat yourself with the same respect as you would treat others (Grosch & Large, 1994, p. 9). Kant believes that every person should be treated with respect because people are free and rational agents who should therefore abide by their own maxims assuming that they have been tested against the universal law (Grosch & Large, 1994, p. 9).
The Formula of the Kingdom of Ends states ‘Every rational being must so act as if he were by his maxims in every case a legislating member in the universal kingdom of ends’ (Grosch & Large, 1994, pp. 9-10). This formula exclaims that in this kingdom nothing conflicts with reason, and the rational being is both subject and sovereign of the law which there obtains (Grosh & Large, 1994, pp. 9-10). This formula emphasizes that all members must recognize themselves as one community and that all the members of that community are deserving of respect as free individuals (Grosh & Large, 1994, pp.

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