Reading Response #1

lying promise

promise made without any intention of being kept

lying promises can be used to get out of tight spots, but their…

consequences may be at a greater expense

example of a consequence of a lying promise

loss of trust

truthful to duty

actions contain a law; uphold moral duty

truthful out of worry

must look elsewhere to see what effects might be bound to it

maxim of action

act description, situation-description, purpose-description

kant questions…

would he be okay if his maxim qualified as a universal law for everyone? would everyone be allowed to make a lying promise in order to escape a situation?

the maxim in question

the lying promise

kant becomes aware that…

he can will the lie, but not apply a universal law to it

what would happen if lying promises were to be a law?

there would be no promises (everyone may be lying, no truths could be for certain)

promising is not…

an effective means of security alone

this maxim does NOT pass the…

universal law check

categorical imperative (formula of universal law)

act according to maxim whereby you can will that it become a universal law

steps to imply categorical imperative

formulate a maxim, universalize a maxim, test that maxim for contradiction (will or conception)