ipl-logo

Kant's Categorical Imperative

877 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Kantian ethics and utilitarianism

Deontological ethics is a branch of moral philosophy that deals with the morality of certain kinds of actions which are right or wrong by themselves and does not focus on their consequences or the characters of actors-moral agents. Immanuel Kant was one of the most famous philosopher and deontological ethicist of the eighteenth century, who had given great contributions to the development of the deontological ethics. Kant proposed the Categorical Imperative - a moral code that every rational being should follow at any circumstances. The term Categorical denotes the inclusiveness of all individuals of the world and the Imperative highlights the Kant’s conviction that there exists the moral criterion for making decisions. (Cardar, 244). Kant …show more content…

In hypothetical imperative there is a purpose of every action. That is to say, “If you want to pass the exam, then seek a best tutor.” Hypothetical imperative is basically like the consequentialism. This type of morality is not accepted by Kant. Kant’s morality is totally based upon the Categorical Imperative, which is based upon the rightness or wrongness of action rather than its consequence. Kant encouraged us to perform right acts. Furthermore, Kant argued that morality should not vary from individual to individual. (Cardar, 244) . Kantian ethics focuses on not doing wrongs acts like killing people, stealing things, cheating in examination and, making false promises to people. These actions should never be done regardless of the consequences because it is the moral obligation of every individual to be …show more content…

What Kant expects people to follow is the motive of duty in order to have moral worth of their actions. People should perform acts for the sake of the moral code or law. Some people do charity just because they are forced to do. For instance, some students might volunteer in events like food banks, hospitals etc to include activities in their resume in order to get admission to good reputed colleges. According to Kant, this action does not satisfy the criteria to be included in moral worth because it is done for the sake of self-benefit not as motive of

Show More
Related
507 Words | 3 Pages

In conclusion, Immanuel Kant’s categorical imperative, in my opinion, is the most appropriate approach to ethics and morals. It is an example of a deontological ethic that is based on reason. On the other hand, utilitarian ethics is an example of teleological ethics that uses both reasons and feelings in order to

Read More
154 Words | 1 Pages

The final ethical theory is Kant’s deontology. Immanuel Kant was a German philosopher who admire the stoics for their dedication to performing their duties and playing their part. He based his theory on duties, obligations, and rights. Its main focus is that everyone has an inherited right. It highlights the importance of respecting a person autonomy.

Read More
426 Words | 2 Pages

Kant starts his theory talking about the second formulation of Categorical Imperative. He says” One should treat humanit6y, weather in ones own person or in that of any other, in every case as an end to itself, never as a means only” (Kant). What he is trying to say is that to treat people as human beings, not as objects for the satisfactory of a task. Some acts are required to follow this principle, some are not, but overall this leads to the treatment of people from their employers. Other people

Read More
1036 Words | 5 Pages

It is also important to keep in mind that according to Kant as told by William Cunningham

Read More
1207 Words | 5 Pages

For Kant, his ethics are grounded on reason and pure reason alone. It is a matter of a priori vs a posteriori. A priori is knowing the truth of the judgement, regardless of empirical view. An example of a priori would be that a single

Read More
863 Words | 4 Pages

Kant is remembered in ethics for his deontological ethical theory where he states that an action is morally justifiable if an actor is bound by his obedience to act by a set of laws. Kant’s ethics thus states that one “must” always conform to a set of rules hence at other times called “categorical imperative.” According

Read More
1222 Words | 5 Pages

I hope to convince the reader that Kant’s Categorical Imperative is the better way to live a morally conscious life and more practical to follow as well. First I will briefly describe both Kant’s and Mill’s principles. Then I will go on to explain the advantages and disadvantages of both. Finally, I hope to provide a counterargument for some of Kant’s Categorical Imperatives downfalls. Kant states the Categorical Imperative as: "Act as if the maxim of your action were to become through your will and general natural law."

Read More
256 Words | 2 Pages

The categorical imperative is a central concept of the Kantian ethic according to Kant, all the morality of the human being must be able to be reduced to a single fundamental commandment, born of reason, not of divine authority, from which all the others can be deduced Human obligations. He defined the concept of categorical imperative as any proposition that declares action (or inaction) as necessary. In his opinion, the previous moral maxims were based on hypothetical imperatives, so they were not obliged to comply in any situation and from any moral, religious or ideological approach. According to Kant, the only thing that is good, always and in every situation, is goodwill. And to say that a person acts by goodwill is tantamount to saying

Read More
1520 Words | 7 Pages

Kant ’s summary

Read More
1536 Words | 7 Pages

Kant’s moral philosophy stands on the notion of good will, an intrinsic good which is perceived to be so without qualification, independent of any external factors. Thus, he dismisses other values that could be taken as good in themselves, such as happiness, honesty, courage, trust etc. as they have worth only under specific conditions, whereas in others they could be transposed into bad acts. For example, trust is necessary for one to be able to manipulate others, one must have courage to be able to

Read More
1374 Words | 6 Pages

Hypothetical imperatives are duties that people ought to observe if certain ends are to be achieved. Categorical imperatives are the absolute and universal laws that guide moral actions. Kant believed that moral actions must be based on unconditional reasoning. Kant’s deontological principles of hypothetical imperatives and categorical imperatives have significantly influenced the medical field.

Read More
1228 Words | 5 Pages

This is because the consequences of the utilitarian mentality can’t be applied in all situations due to the dangerous outcomes it can lead to. Kantian ethics is concerned about practical reason and motives rather than the consequences of the action. In most cases, the utilitarian will base their actions on what the best result is for the greatest number of people, while Kant argues that a goodwill “is good only through its willing” (Kant, 2008, p. 106). In fact, Kant argues that even “with the greatest effort it should yet achieve nothing, and only the good will should remain…yet would it, like a jewel, still shine by its own light as something which has its full value in itself. Its usefulness or fruitlessness can neither augment nor diminish this value” (Kant, 2008, p. 106).

Read More
871 Words | 4 Pages

If a person is acting in accordance with duty, they feel inclined to do something, not that it is their duty to do it. A person who is giving to others in accordance with duty, could possibly be doing it because everyone else is and they want to protect their reputation. This person would give to others for the recognition, to be praised or simply because everyone else is giving. A person who is giving in accordance with duty is likely doing it because they feel inclined to or for self-interested reasons. In the case of the philanthropists, both people that Kant describe are acting from duty.

Read More
1193 Words | 5 Pages

According to Kant rationality is the basic need of human being. Kantianism is a part of deontological ethics and is always in contrast of utilitarianism, which emphasizes the consequences. In Kant’s perspective actions are approved or disapproved in and by themselves. Peoples’ rights should never be violated, even if it brings good consequences. Kant discovers hidden principles that govern our beliefs.

Read More
929 Words | 4 Pages

Kant believes that most people know right from wrong; the problem most people have is not in knowing what is morally, but in doing it. Kant also argued that rightness or wrongness of particular acts is determined by rules; these rules could be determined by his principle of universalizability. He also argued reason require not only that moral duties be universal but also absolutely binding. For instance, when lying is the only option to save someone’s life, still we shall not lie for it is morally wrong to lie. Kant introduced categorical imperative which states that people ought to do something regardless of the consequences.

Read More

More about Kant's Categorical Imperative

Related Topics

Open Document