Categorical imperative

Kantians say that moral judgment cannot be a hypothetical imperative and only a categorical imperative. The reasoning behind this conclusion lies in the concept that “should and “ought” in moral contexts are different; a “should” can only be used in statements related to hypothetical imperative and “ought” only apply to statements related to categorical imperatives. However, Foot states that there are rules that use “should” as a hypothetical imperative, rule of etiquette. For example, a person…

In the branch of normative ethics, a person discerns what is right or wrong behavior. There are several theories about what is right or wrong conduct, but two of the most popular ideas is Utilitarianism and Kantianism. Both set up strict methods of deciding how a person would know what the right thing to do in a situation would be. On one hand, utilitarianism claims that you can use intuition to discern what the greatest good for the greatest number of people is. On the other side, Kantianism…

Hypothetical Imperative declares a possible action to be practically necessary as a means to the attainment of something else that one wants an if you want a then just do b (you will not know what a hypothetical imperative contains until given its condition) 2. Categorical Imperative represents an action as itself objectively necessary, without regard to any further end. a) Do x (requires direct conduct) b) The ONLY categorical imperative is "Act only on that maxim by which…

Immanuel Kant was the first person to outline the basic tenets of deontology. To understand Kant’s theory, we must first understand the terms Kant used to describe it. These terms are will, duty, maxim, and categorical imperative. Will is an immaterial concept Kant ascribes to all human beings as the power and ability to make a rational moral decision. As discussed in lecture, duty is a compulsion, or moral obligation to act in a manner we should act as opposed to…

Kant says that a lack of good will has nothing to do with outcomes because there is only an accidental connection between what we do and the outcomes that arise from what we do. To hold someone morally responsible for what is not under their control is to hold them responsible for luck, therefore it is unreasonable to hold someone responsible for what is not under their control. Kant believes that a good will is intrinsically good because its value is independent of its external relations, the…

agree with. Contrary to Aristotle, Kant believes ethics should be based on good will. Meaning, we should look at moral actions not by finding the good in the action, but doing the action with goodness. He explains how this can be done with his categorical imperative and the two formulations of it. These formulations help us decide whether or not our actions are based off of goodwill or our own inclinations. He gives multiple examples to elucidate on how to use this formulation. Kant believes…

Philosophers Immanuel Kant, John Stuart Mill, Aristotle, and Virginia Held each have a different approach which I will outline in the next few paragraphs and then provide my opinion on which I find most effective. According to Immanuel Kant’s “Categorical Imperative”, is the moral worth of our actions. It is Kant’s belief that we should act without expecting recognition. “… the moral worth of an action is to be judged not by its consequences, but by the nature of the maxim or principle that…

On the other hand, Kant’s outlook is similar to Aristotle’s perspective as the source of virtuous or in Kant's terms, dutiful, action begins with the notion that the good involves reason, but for Kant, the end result is not the most important thing. For Kant, his idea is that our highest vocation is to develop a good will that acts in accordance of the moral law. This leads to Kant to explain when an action has moral worth. Specifically, an action has moral worth when it proceeds from duty,…

Prussian philosopher, as well as many other deontological philosophers: yes. However, this moral interpretation can manifest conflicts and discrepancies of duty. Kant presented a universal and impartial moral code called the categorical imperative. The categorical imperative is meant to help us make moral decisions. However, it discounts moral emotions such as compassion and sympathy as appropriate and ethical…

The trolley problem is a very important concept that philosophers explore. The trolley problem describes a situation that involves a trolley approaching five people that have been tied down to a track by some villain. As it happens you are standing right next to the switch that can divert the trolley onto another track. Sadly you do not have enough time to free them and save them. Unfortunately, the second track has one person tied down to it. What should you do? Save the five people and let the…