Maxim

constrain the form of our maxims. Onora O’Neil defines a maxim in regards to Kant’s text as: “The maxim of the act is the principle in which one sees oneself as acting. A maxim expresses a person’s policy, or if he or she has no settled policy, the principle underlying the particular intention” (103). Kant argues that ‘goodness’ is not pursued through happiness. Instead, he proposes that the only good thing in this world is a “good will” (81). A good will requires a maxim of motive in which you…

followed. And they are the only law that is unconditional, objective necessity, and universally valid. Applying Kant’s first version of Categorical Imperative, which is act according to the maxim the you would wish all other rational people to follow, as if it were a universal law: (1) Suicide, the maxim of this man is committing suicide to his self-interest of free from suffering. If we were to apply this to universal law, everyone will commit suicide when they are experiencing pain. It…

“the maxim upon which an individual act that is guided by a command of reason” (Kant, p. 98). Making the right turn is certainly the better choice for the driver though it will lead to the demise of the man on the track. While this seems like an awful decision, for Kant the only thing that matter is the driver’s maxim, which is base on “a command of reason” and is irrespective “of anyone’s particular desires” (Kant, p. 98). Utilitarian may object to Kant’s conclusion on the use of its maxim as…

imperative, the maximum would then consider that, if the patient can rightfully decide what course of treatment works in their interest then any action that fails to account the patients desires would infringe their autonomy. This universalizes the maxim and passes the test. Prior to Freda’s catatonic state, she communicates her wishes of not wanting a feeding tube. At this time, Freda’s rationality remains, thus making her an equal member who can rightfully determine her own ends and goals.…

Questions pertaining to whether certain actions are morally right or morally wrong are never easy to settle. There are various moral theories that try to address the question, divine command theory, virtue ethics, ethical egoism, cultural relativism, to name just a few. There is, of course, not much agreement among moral philosophers as to which is correct. There is, however, much agreement on what is actually morally right or morally wrong. The merits of a particular moral theory will depend…

application of the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur in general, are well settled and applied consistently. The maxim Res Ipsa Loquitor, allows the claimant to succeed in action for negligence even when there is no evidence as to what caused the accident and whether it was attributable to negligence on the part of the defendant. It shifts the onus of burden to the defendant. In its shift from the general maxim of - ei incumbit probatio qui dicit, non qui negat (the burden of proof rests on the…

The following paper argues in favor of Aristotle’s virtue ethics over Kantian deontology. In Kantian deontology, to be ethical is to follow one’s duty by acting on only the rules which one can at the same time rationally will that those actions become universal laws, while in Aristotelian virtue ethics, to be ethical is to develop and internalize virtuous habits until one fully becomes virtuous themselves. In turn, the ethical question of ‘What should I do?’ that deontology asks becomes ‘What…

morally right, regardless of the consequences. Kant believes that lying is always morally wrong, so the maxim must not be about lying. The maxim: it is my duty to always tell the truth. We must test this maxim against the categorical imperatives; universal acceptability, and respect (Kant, Wood & Schneewind, 2002). Philosopher Benjamin Constant has pointed out the flaws in this style of maxim, explaining that “the moral principle stating that it is a duty to tell the truth would make any…

If this is true then these fanatics are stating a maxim that everyone can accept and according to Kant’s argument they would be acting ethically or out of duty. This premise illuminates that if everyone accepts the maxim whether good or bad than you are performing morally. I have to say that with the examples above; I would have to strike down the Kantian belief, that as long as everyone can accept the maxim—which is the principles of universalizability, then they are acting morally…

A full discussion of the concept of a ‘‘maxim’’ would require a lengthy exposition; for the purposes of this paper, it is sufficient to view an action’s ‘‘maxim’’ as an objective description both of the action and of the reasons for which it is done. In the case of inversions, the maxim is ‘‘reincorporate in another country in order to pay lower taxes’’. In order for an action with this maxim to be ethical, it must be possible for the maxim to be willed as universal law. According to Kant’s…