Kant's Categorical Imperative

The Hypothetical Imperative

I must do X to achieve Y

Good Will

"Good Will shines forth like a precious jewel" Nothing can be taken as good without qualification, except good will (ie, an intrinsic good)

Definitions:

- Absolute - Deontological - Objective

Formulations of the Categorical Imperative: 1. The Universal Law

A Categorical Imperative can be universalised (ie applied to everyone without exception). A maxim (rule) cannot be universalised if it is contradictory. There are 2 contradictions.

Contradiction in the Will:

A rule that you would not wish to see universalised as it might work against you, eg 'do not give money to the poor.'

Formulations of the Categorical Imperative: 3. Act as if you live in a kingdom of ends

A world in which people do not treat each other as means, but only as ends

The Categorical Imperative

I must do X The Categorical Imperative is a moral obligation

The Moral Law:

Kant believed that there is an objective moral law, which can be known through reason (not sense experience) and is therefore a priori. However, as moral statements can be right or wrong, they are also synthetic. Moral statements are therefore 'a priori synthetic'.

The summum bonum:

Kant maintained that humans seek an ultimate end (supreme good) or summum bonum, which is pursued through moral acts. Since it is impossible to achieve this in one lifetime, he concluded that we must have immortal souls to succeed. Belief in the afterlife and God therefore provide an opportunity to reach this supreme good, where happiness and virture are united.

Contradiction of Nature:

This is when something is self-contradictory, eg 'only keep promises when it's convenient to do so.'

Duty

To act morally is to do one's duty and one's duty is to obey the moral law. Duty is done for its down sake. Doing it for any other reason does not count.

Formulations of the Categorical Imperative: 2. Treat humans as ends in themselves

Treating people as means to ends is exploitative. To be consistent, we need to value everyone equally.