Reason, is a constant at all moments, therefore morality too, ought to be universal. Consequently, an action can only be considered moral if it could will to be a universal law. Kant’s First Formula within the Categorical Imperative is Autonomy or Universal law “I ought never to act in such a way that I could not also will that my maxim should be a universal law”(402). If we can prescribe (“will”) that no only I, but everyone else too, should act similarly in the circumstances.3 It’s not possible to will my maxim as a universal law if I can’t will the consequences of everybody following it. Thus, through a Kantian lens if we make a promise we have no intention of keeping, we must think to ourselves whether we’d find it acceptable for everyone else to do the
Reason, is a constant at all moments, therefore morality too, ought to be universal. Consequently, an action can only be considered moral if it could will to be a universal law. Kant’s First Formula within the Categorical Imperative is Autonomy or Universal law “I ought never to act in such a way that I could not also will that my maxim should be a universal law”(402). If we can prescribe (“will”) that no only I, but everyone else too, should act similarly in the circumstances.3 It’s not possible to will my maxim as a universal law if I can’t will the consequences of everybody following it. Thus, through a Kantian lens if we make a promise we have no intention of keeping, we must think to ourselves whether we’d find it acceptable for everyone else to do the