In-Compatibilism: Philosopher Immanuel Kant

Philosopher Immanuel Kant is one of the most known advocates for in-compatibilism, which, is the disbelief in a coexistence of both free will and determinism. Kant argues that morality implies rationality, and, that rationality implies freedom. Kant views rationality as normative in that it requires rules of both reason and morality. Meaning, to Kant, acting moral and thinking reasonably are similar as they are both prescriptions of rationality. Furthermore, Kant believes that morality, and specifically, moral law is a categorical imperative, not a hypothetical one. A categorical imperative is a moral obligation that is binding in all circumstances, whereas a hypothetical imperative is when an action is based on desire instead of reason.

First, let’s start with Charles Whitman, also known as the” Texas Tower Sniper”, who killed a dozen people, and injured over two dozen more in Austin, TX in August of 1966. Hearing this, most people would be upset, and it is unimaginable to understand what the victims’ families went through. What is unique to this specific case though, is that Charles was not a bad person, but was merely a victim of his biology. After being killed by police officers on site, it was found during his autopsy that he had a pecan-sized tumor within his brain. Forensic investigators have thus theorized that it is likely that the tumor was pressing on Charles’ amygdala, which, is the area of the brain that affects how we experience emotions. Additionally, Charles had seen a psychiatrist prior to the shooting, and on the record voiced his concern with regards to his uncharacteristically aggressive behavior; and, in his alleged suicide note he left at his home after killing his wife and mother, he articulated his inability to control his emotions and that he could not take it anymore. Now, anyone learning of his tumor, of his attempt to seek help, and of his final letter can easily see that this man was also a victim in this truly tragic