Categorical imperative

Consequentialism and deontology are contrasting theories of philosophy that guide us in viewing acts in terms of their morality. The doctrine of consequentialism suggests we should judge the morality of actions purely on the results they produce; whereas deontology aims to judge morality based on the conduct of an individual, and morality is decided from the moral acceptance of a particular action rather than the result the decision produces. These principles of philosophy have existed for…

Kant’s Categorical Imperative. Walter Glannon argues four reasons as to why gene enhancement is “morally permissible if it is intended to ensure or restore normal functions, but is morally illegitimate if it is aimed at enhancing functions beyond normal.” However, gene enhancement is a simply one form of genetic alternation.…

In Immanuel Kant’s, “Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals”, the morality of action is questioned, defined, and explained. To do so, Kant brings up an example of several people, two of which either, “preserve their lives”, or, “act charitably” out of pure, “natural inclination” (Kant). The other two are performing the same actions, but, in stark contrast to the other two individuals, are acting because of a, “motive of duty”, or maxim (Kant). Kant explains that those who acted out of duty are…

Ursula Le Guin illustrates a hypothetical city where the happiness of an entire society depends on the eternal agony of one child. In her narration of The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas, she begins by describing the gathering of city people to a festival. The author maintains a rather vague depiction of the authenticity of the city, claiming that the details of their relation of technology, drugs, or sex for example to ours are simply irrelevant. The main importance that Ursula Le Guin stresses…

work, Kant presents the idea that ethical decisions should be based on a priori reasoning which is a type of reasoning that is based on logical observations, not experiences. Kant breaks these actions into the categories of good will and categorical imperatives, which he further analyzes through the lens of the formulas for universal law and humanity. Through the development of these concepts, Kant creates a way to understand moral values and arrive at a universal set of maxims through use of…

yourself instead of following a universal rule or law is wrong. Because of this Kant’s Categorical Imperatives by their very nature reject the theories of John Stuart Mill’s utilitarianism. If in Jim’s situation he were to choose to kill the man and save himself or the others, he would be seen as using the innocent as a mean to an end, an immoral act according to Kant. To be aligned with these Categorical Imperatives was to live…

immoral. Also Kant’s categorical imperative dictates us how we should act towards each other. The categorical imperative under its three principles; the universal law, treat humans as ends in themselves, and act as if you live in a Kingdom of ends, reminds us that morals should be applied in all situations with no exceptions. It also tells us that we can never use humans as a means to an end, but consider them as unique creatures with human dignity. And finally on categorical imperatives, it…

This is because we can only control our actions and not those of others. Additionally in Deontology people aren’t supposed to make themselves an exception to any of the rules. The categorical imperative states “act only according to that maxim through which you can at the same time will that it will become a universal law” (Kant, p. 34). Kant’s belief that an action can eventually be turned into a universal law acts on the concept of abortion…

their own self-interest while the utilitarian looks at the maximum number of good for the greatest number of people. In contrast, non-consequentialism looks at the moral action itself. Two examples of non-consequentialism examined were Kant's Categorical Imperative which is based on moral duty and treating people as ends in themselves and Natural Law Theory which holds that human being should follow the…

s it Ethical to Pose as a Lesbian Couple for a Couple’s Discount? A person submitted an interesting conundrum to the New York Times “The Ethicist” column. She wanted to join a local pool that offered a discount for a couple, which could be defined as a married couple, or a couple in a relationship who cohabitate. The writer’s husband did not want to join the pool, so she and her friend posed as a lesbian couple and used the writer’s address for both women to pose as a cohabitating couple, and…