Immanuel Kant's Theory Of Maxim

Using Kant’s notion of a maxim it would be wrong to cheat on the final exam in a course that you do not like and feel you will not benefit from. In the book it stated this, “Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) argued that lying is wrong under any circumstances. He did not appeal to religion; instead, he held that lying is forbidden by reason itself” (Rachels 129). This shows that no matter what the situation may be that lying is looked down upon. He believed that every rational person should believe the Categorical Imperative. This tells people if their act is morally allowed. Rules become “maxim” of how people act. In the book it stated this about rules becoming a “maxim,” “In other words, would you allow your rule to be followed by all people at all time? If so, then your maxim is sounds and your acts is acceptable” (Rachels. 130). This shows what is acceptable and what is wrong. Since cheating on the final exam would not be considered “okay” or even “right” by everyone, this is an act that would be considered forbidden. Kant’s approach to this kind of example would be different than the approach of the ethical egoist and utilitarian. In the book it stated this, “According to Utilitarianism, our duty is to do whatever will increase the amount of

In the book it state this, “Ethical Egoism, again, is the doctrine that each person ought to pursue his or her own self-interest exclusively” (Rachels 71). Since she does not believe she would benefit from taking the class, a person who believes in egoism would cheat on the final because that is what she personally wants to do. The book also stated, “The theory only insists that the benefit to others is not what makes the act right. Rather, the act is right because it benefits you” (Rachels,71). Since she would not benefit in taking the class, she would benefit more if she cheated, because she is not gaining any knowledge in taking the