Kant's Hypothetical Imperative Analysis

Decent Essays
Kant explains that hypothetical imperative is the actions that are good as a means of something else. He explains that the actions taken that are good for something else. He also states that hypothetical imperative is the actions that are good for some possible or actual purpose. Kant also explains that there are two types of hypothetical, which are assertorically and problematically. Hypothetical is referenced to a purpose. Another imperative that Kant talks about is the categorical imperative; he explains that this occurs if the actions are “represented as good in itself, as necessary in a will that in itself conforms to reason” (Kant, pg 28).

Related Documents

  • Great Essays

    Immanuel Kant On Duty

    • 1621 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Due to examples such as the 2003 War in Iraq by the US, it can be seen that not all motivations are pure. Kant then states a limitation that not all actions are performed completely out of good will, and only categorical imperatives, which are actions that are done just for the sake of being done, and therefore considered as a priori since it is a means and an end, are truly pure. This is agreeable, however, it must be noted that hypothetical imperatives can also have good will (i.e. lying in order to protect someone’s feelings), yet at the same time, categorical imperatives would be more reliable. He gives four examples of categorical imperatives. Adherence to the first principle, which says one should not kill himself, is a must in order for humans to remain in the world, in addition to the importance of life.…

    • 1621 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Some people may think determining the morality of an action as an easy task, and fail to realize that it is no easy task. Every action is driven by other actions, and depending on the circumstances, an act may be moral in some cases and not in others. This is why Kant favors the Categorical Imperative when compared to other methods of determining morality. The Categorical Imperative does not deal with circumstances, instead it denotes an all-encompassing rule that, if obeyed, means actions would be moral no matter what the situation may be. He first describes the Categorical Imperative when he states, “I should never act except in such a way that I can also will that my maxim should become a universal law” (Kant 14).…

    • 267 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Hypothetical imperative is applicable to those with the desire, end or goal they want to achieve. And so, if I don’t desire to get an A on the exam or maybe I am satisfied with a C grade, the hypothetical imperative if you want an A on the exam, you ought to study does not apply to me. On the other hand, a categorical imperative is a rule or moral directive from reason that is binding without condition; a command that applies to all rational beings, no matter what. Actions done in accordance with these rules are morally good or morally…

    • 1196 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Kant effectively quantifies freedom via his argument for his idea of enlightenment, public/private divide, trade off between rational and physical productivity and finally international governance. He runs into problems however in that he fails to effectively quantify the means of acquiring his aspirational goals of perfect moral constitution, universal enlightenment as well as global cosmopolitan governance. The following section will outline first the public private divide followed by means not considered (harm principle) and the second section will outline the means towards global cosmopolitanism as well as the limitations considered. The attainment of enlightenment is one of the highest level of understanding for Kant and correlates…

    • 1511 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In the second chapter of his work Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals, author Kant discusses the idea of an imperative as it relates to moral decision making, specifically how a person will decide the right course of action in any given situation. Kant defines imperative as a demand or command of reason action. When we have a goal in mind, the imperative is the reasonable course of action that we feel we must take. Kant then distinguishes between two types of imperatives. First, he discusses hypothetical imperatives.…

    • 301 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Hypothetical Imperatives

    • 1054 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Philippa Foot in her text “Morality as a System of Hypothetical Imperatives” argues against the claim that moral judgments cannot be hypothetical imperatives, first presented by the philosopher Immanuel Kant. As found in her introduction on page 68-69 of the textbook, her argument is that moral judgments are categorical rather than hypothetical. But before one can explain her argument one must define and explain what hypothetical and categorical imperatives are. Kant himself wrote all imperatives command either hypothetically or categorically. He says that hypothetical imperatives “present the practical necessity of a possible action as a means to achieving something else which one desires.”…

    • 1054 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    In the book, Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals, Immanuel Kant lays out his theory for making moral decisions. Unlike many other philosophers, Kant focuses not on the consequences of actions, but on the maxim in which the action was performed; in addition, Kant also tries to find his moral theory a priori instead of through empirical experience. He attempts to formulate a theory grounded through pure reason in which he bases his moral law on something that has never been experienced before that we are able to imagine and strive towards. Kant’s theory circles around the idea of a Supreme Principle of Morality called the Categorical Imperative which encompasses the Formula of Universal Law and the Formula of Humanity; all of which I will…

    • 2081 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Kant supports the categorical imperative with three different rules, all of which convince me that we have moral duties to ourselves because these rules are in a sense applicable to everyday life. The three rules include the universal law, treat humans as ends in themselves, and act as if you live in the Kingdom of ends. Universal law is discussed first where Kant states, “There is only one categorical imperative. It is an act only according to that maxim by which you can at the same time…

    • 913 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Kant Versus Mill

    • 1500 Words
    • 6 Pages

    For purposes of this argument, we will focus on the first two. The first categorical imperative, known as the “Formula of the Universal Law”, states: “I am never to act otherwise than so that I could also will that my maxim should become a universal law” (83). Meaning, if the situation would not be possible for everyone to take part in as a universal law, then the situation does not withstand Kant’s moral theory. This situation is best described through the example of a lying promise. In short, if someone was asking for a loan with underlying intentions to lie and not pay the loan back, then a lying promise is made to the lender.…

    • 1500 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    However, this is where Kant’s categorical imperatives come into play. As stated before, the first is that we are to never treat people as a means. Secondly, we are to adhere to a maxim that can govern all people and eventually become universal law. There is an incredible difference between a categorical imperative and a hypothetical imperative. The difference is evident because to the Kantian, morality should be based on the categorical imperative, or something that is help to be good in any scenario at any time.…

    • 1038 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Immanuel Kant Analysis

    • 286 Words
    • 2 Pages

    When is lying okay? Is it always acceptable? Is it never acceptable to ‘’commit a sin’’ as german philosopher? Immanuel Kant would refer to a lie as. Your standpoint may differ from mine.…

    • 286 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Kant states that it is the Categorical Imperative ( an unqualified moral obligation that applies to all rational beings ) what helps reason provide the standard. However, Kant’s moral theory is defined as deontological where actions are determined by rules of behavior. According to Kant, we experience reason as an obligation so we act in distinct ways or imperatives which can be found in two different ways: Categorical imperative and Hypothetical Imperative. Hypothetical Imperative is defined as; the performance of an action for the sake of the desired end. I.e if you want to lose weight, you must eat healthily, or if you want to pass the class, you must turn in your work.…

    • 746 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Moreover, as long as the moral law does not depend on our desires, it consists of what is called ‘categorical imperatives’ in Kant’s philosophical works (Gakuran…

    • 698 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    '(3) "Act according to the maxims if a universally legislative member of a merely potential kingdom of ends. " In other words, Kant argues that particular action requires conscious thought of the rule governing the action. Whether if everyone should follow that rule, and if the rule is acceptable for universal action, it should be adopted. If the rule is unacceptable, then it should be rejected. In order to understand whether or not an action follows Kant's "categorical imperative," we must prescribe those norms that we wish to be universal…

    • 764 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Kant's Moral Theory Essay

    • 910 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Kant’s moral theory is based on the fact that one’s action should be governed by a maxim that follows the purity of the will; the idea that one’s actions should be based on a will that aligns with duty and not on the consequences of one’s actions. In the contrary, rule utilitarianism is based on the consequences of one’s actions and how it impacts the overall happiness of the individuals involved. The following paper focuses on the ideas of duty ethics and utilitarian ethics; and how these ideas can be implemented in the case of James Liang. Kant believes that an act is morally acceptable when such an act perfectly aligns with one’s duty. Furthermore, he believed that all rational beings are obligated by the demands of duty.…

    • 910 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays