Kant's Categorical Imperative

What is a Categorical Imperative?

a command you MUST follow regardless of your desires

Why don’t we need religion?

we can use our intellect to determine what is right / wrong

How do we work out what is moral?

by finding the general rule of the action and working out whether the action is universalisable

“act only according to that rule…. and it should become a universal law.”

What is a maxim?

a rule / principle of action

Why would Kant say stealing is wrong?

You are universalising the action, making it ok for everyone to do.

What does end in themselves mean?

People shouldn’t be used for the benefits of others

Exist for themselves

Have goals to accomplish

How are moral decisions made?

1. Formulate a rule

2. Universalise it - imagining everyone in the world follows it

3. Assess whether the outcome is wrong

CONTRADICTION = action is immoral

NO CONTRADICTION = action is moral

Adaptation of Categorical Imperative

“act as if maxims were to become a universal law of nature.”

humans must be treated with respect (wrong to kill yourself and others)

Are humans responsible for their own actions?

yes - they have moral responsibility

freedom for moral decisions

sets them apart from animals

Deontological or Teleological?

deontological - rule based (DUTY)

Humans have a duty to act in a moral way