Kant's Categorical Imperative

According to Kant, imperatives are principles determining what individuals should do. These imperatives may be divided as those which are categorical, and those which are hypothetical; the former expresses imperatives that are those

Immanuel Kant's categorical imperative is a theory that basically relays the same message that most mothers teach their kids, and that is to do the right thing. The categorical imperative could be easily explained by the Golden Rule about treating others as you would like to be treated. Kant dives a little deep with his theory, however, and breaks the categorical imperative into three formulations. The first formulation is about essentially removing yourself from a situation and doing what is best for everyone. Kant is basically saying that it is unethical to make decisions that affect everyone, but only benefits you. The second formulation is about making sure that

The categorical imperative suggests that a course of action must be followed because of its rightness and necessity. The course of action taken can also be reasoned by its ability to be seen as a universal law. Universal laws have been deemed as unconditional commands that are binding to everyone at all times. Kant

1. In his discussion of the first formulation of the categorical imperative (Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law) Kant draws a distinction between perfect and imperfect duties. Introduce this formulation of the categorical imperative and discuss how we should make the distinction between perfect and imperfect duties.

A good example of Categorical Imperative universal theory is “In law a man is guilty when he violates the rights of others. In ethics he is guilty if he only thinks of doing so.” (Immanuel)

Kant gives multiple formulations. First formulation of the categorical imperative is to act only in accordance with that maxim through which you can at the same time

Kant’s third and final formulation of categorical imperative “Formula of Autonomy” states that one must treat the idea of the will of every rational being, as a universal law. This means we should only act as maxims that are corresponding with a possible end. We should so act that we think of ourselves as a member in the universal realms of ends. We are required according to this formulation

There are two ways to we can will inconsistently, either the generalized maxim is logically impossible or that what we will contradicts another of our wills. An example of a maxim which would not pass the Categorical Imperative test would be : “Whenever anyone wants money they will make a false promise, borrow the money and never pay the lender back.” This generalized maxim cannot be universalized because it is self defeating for if it was adopted by everyone no one would lend out money. If there is no one that will give you money, there will be no false promises that can be made and hence the maxim cannot be universalized. Another example of a maxim that does not pass the Categorical Imperative test is : “Whenever anyone is better off than others, they will never give to the less fortunate”. This maxim in itself does not contradict itself but it cannot be consistently willed. If the agent was to imagine himself at that moment to be a homeless person they would will that others who are better off would aid him. However this second will is in direct contradiction of his previous will. In this way, the agent is engaging in inconsistent willing and thus the maxim cannot be universalized. An example of a maxim which passes the Categorical Imperative test is never tell a lie. The generalised maxim would be: “Whenever anyone is asked a question, they will always tell the whole truth”.

The Categorical Imperative is a set of rules to follow in Kantianism. The Categorical Imperative contains two formulations: The categorical imperative (version 1, universalizability), act only according to those principles of action that you could will to be a universal law of nature.

Kant’s categorical imperative, put simply, is something that must be done. It is a law in itself, and is necessary and unequivocal. It is to be treated as law by all people independent of the desires of the individual, and must be done. This is different from the hypothetical imperative in that the hypothetical imperative is an action done to bring about a specific outcome, and is specific only to the individual who desires that outcome. The categorical imperative applies to all people and must be done regardless of the outcome. For Kant, the moral imperative is the categorical imperative, because it can be applied to a person’s

According to the philosopher Kant, there are two forms of Categorical Imperatives that society should abide by when performing an action. The two forms of the categorical imperative that Kant focuses on are the formula of Universal Law and the formula of Humanity. The purpose of the formula of Universal Law is to act so that the maxim of your action can become a universal law. There are four essential steps involved when carrying out the process of Universal Law. First, a person must form a motive behind the action proposed. Second, a person must review and consider all the outcomes that will occur if one decides to act on a decision. Third, determine whether the maxim is even rational towards the people that are governed by this law. Finally, a person should not make promises that are considered irrational to fulfill. The formula for Universal Law and the formula of Humanity should be the basis for foundation that should be universally granted to all mankind.

Important to realize is universal laws or moral rules are a necessary part of society. Without rules, society would not function properly, and a breakdown of humanity’s social structure would soon follow. If no one kept their word, then no one would be believed or trusted. Hence, nothing would ever be accomplished. It would stand to reason people must keep their commitments. Kant’s categorical imperative is defined by reason and binding for all rational people. (Rachels EMP 135) Kant maintains that “act only according to that maxim by which you can at the same time will that is should become a universal law.” (qtd in Rachels EMP 130) To clarify, if one’s actions can be based on a rule or maxim that can be followed without exception by everyone,

Immanuel Kant concerns himself with deontology, and as a deontologist, he believes that the rightness of an action depends in part on things other than the goodness of its consequences, and so, actions should be judged based on an intrinsic moral law that says whether the action is right or wrong – period. Kant introduced the Categorical Imperative which is the central philosophy of his theory of morality, and an understandable approach to this moral law. It is divided into three formulations. The first formulation of Kant’s Categorical Imperative states that one should “always act in such a way that the maxim of your action can be willed as a universal law of humanity”; an act is either right or wrong based on its ability to be

Kant thinks that the basic moral principles of our society come from people’s rationality, and people must follow these principles unconditionally. These moral principles are the Categorical Imperative. Meanwhile, its common rules have different directions in society. To conclude these directions, it can be reflected from three different formulations. Among the three formulations, the first formulation of universal law has standout features in the maxim and the constraints about people’s behaviors. With combined analysis of examples, the drawbacks of universal law also appear out.

In Kant’s philosophy he discusses three imperatives which include: the categorical, hypothetical and practical imperatives. In Kant’s categorical