Preview

Forumulation Of The Categorical Imperative

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
470 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Forumulation Of The Categorical Imperative
According to the Golden Rule (GR), you should do unto others as you would want them to do unto you. The first forumulation of the Categorical Imperative (CI), formulated by the German Philosopher Immanuel Kant, states one should act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law without contradiction. These two rules are not the same thing as they are based on entirely different philosophical foundations.

The motivation for the GR is that one should place themselves in a thought experiment whereby they switch places with the person committing the action, and the person receiving the consequence of the action. As such, by asking the question "How would it feel for myself to receive this

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Kant, worked on ethics and wrote two general schools of thoughts. The first theory is consequentialist moral theories, which divides the thought of right and wrong based on the outcome and it consequence of an action, therefore the end justifies the means.The second theory is deontology which is similar to consequentialist but instead right and wrong based upon oneself. Thus categorical imperative was introduced, categorical imperative is based upon kant's idea that morality is derived by rationality and all moral judgement are rationally supported, in other words what’s right is right and what’s wrong is wrong. In more detail into categorical Imperative, there are three maxim, first maxim is all your actions must have universality. therefore for if you want to do something it must be okay for everyone else to do it, as Kant uses suicide as an example he says “is it contrary to my duty to take my life if i am in despair due to my many misfortunes? First, i should ask what if all though this way and acted upon it and became a law of nature” Second Maxim is every human should be treated as a end and not a mean, which means you’re not obligated nor allowed to manipulate someone no matter what. Third maxim one should act like you're the moral authority of the entire universe. As we compare this to Friedrich Nietzsche’s thoughts on morality we notice difference. immanuel Kant in…

    • 683 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Individuals are always taught that the golden rule is to treat others how we would like to be treated. But everyday people in society treat others differently or making judgments for how they look or what they believe in. Sometimes people don't realize they are treating these certain people that way or making those judgements . People in America are known to treat people very differently depending on the color of their skin or their certain beliefs. Although our society suggests to treat others how all would like to be treated, there is still a tendency where people treat others unfairly or differently for various reasons.…

    • 735 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Kant approached towards philosophy; he developed “The Categorical Imperative” which is a rule to do what is right. He believed that we shouldn’t lie to one another; he also believed that if we made a promise we should keep that promise. “Kant argues that the moral worth of an action it’s to be judged not by its consequences but by the nature of the maxim or principles…

    • 93 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Journal Evaluation

    • 311 Words
    • 2 Pages

    I thought this article was a good component to explain how the golden rule works even though it talks about war it provides good reasoning that the golden rule is important. It also was not really thought about when we decided to attack Iraq because they really did not at all indicate any kind of hints that they would attack the US. If we went by the golden rule then we probably would not have attacked them because no one wants to be attacked without doing anything. That’s where the golden rule comes to play do on to others as one would want done to…

    • 311 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Kant vs. Mill

    • 1576 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Kant claims that there is a right way to determine how to treat other rational beings, as well as themselves. Kant describes this as being the categorical imperative. The categorical imperative states that an individual ought not make an exception for one’s self to act in a way they themselves would not want by other individuals. Kant requires that a person’s maxim should only be acted upon if the action and…

    • 1576 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    According to Aristotle every activity aims at some good, which is happiness, and that we should do so by aiming for excellence through rational activities. Happiness is being able to do well in life and live well; however, he argues that many believe happiness has to do with your wealth, pleasure, or honor. People who are wealthy are not aiming for the good they are simply seeking it for another purpose. For example, when you have a lot of money and you want the new iPhone. Well now that you purchased the phone you have to purchase a new case and a new charger and then the next best iPhone becomes available for purchase and repeat. There is no end to the cycle of wealth because people are always seeking other means, which happiness is the…

    • 678 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    ideas are built is severely flawed. Robert Bryce seems to believe that the only possible…

    • 1508 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Golden Rule of Christianity coming from the words of Jesus, “Do to others what you want them to do to you. This is the meaning of the law of Moses and the teaching of the prophets.” (New International Version, Matthew 7:12) is the basis of my morals. This is what leads to a moral guideline for me to live in cooperation with others. Most religions or philosophical teachings have their own saying of the golden rule.…

    • 519 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Great Gatsby

    • 622 Words
    • 3 Pages

    One of the moral codes I live by is the golden rule which is to treat others the way you would like to be treated. I try to always treat others with respect and kindness until they give me a reason not to. I avoid making bad decisions and think about how the consequences of my actions will affect me and the people around me. I was taught by my family to always show respect to my elders and not to take anything that I have for…

    • 622 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    One of the major diversion, conflict, and controversy comes across from the access to health care in the United States. The essence of this dispute is whether medical treatment is a right, therefore all citizens should have the ability to use it or a commodity so society should have to pay or limits of charity. Throughout this deliberation I will be using philosophers and their philosophical concepts to support each side of the debate.…

    • 1012 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Kant’s Categorical Imperative is made up of two formulations, Formula of Universal Law and The Formula of the End in Itself. The first formulation is best described by the following statement, “Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law without contradiction.” (Kant, 1785, 1993). What does this mean? A maxim is the fundamental rule of conduct or your moral belief upon which you chose to act. A universal law is a law that everyone must follow regardless of the outcome.…

    • 895 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Kant argues that there is a universal moral law that every rational mind follows through reasoning. He argues moral duties are generated by the moral law, which he distinguishes as two types of imperatives. An imperative is a conformity with a law and he argues that a “hypothetical imperative” plays no significant role in ones moral behaviour, as it causes an inclination in the person, whereas a “categorical imperative” is innate and occurs unconditionally as one is to do so without question. Kant states that the moral law is irrevocable and is not open for exemption. He argues, since the moral law is universal, every rational being is able to agree and accept it simply by reason. Possessing a desire, or wish for a certain outcome is insignificant…

    • 304 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Immanuel Kant argued that the utmost principle of morality is ordinary of rationality that he named it the “Categorical Imperative”. He labeled it for the reason of “objected, rationally necessary and inclinations we may have to the contrary” (Stanford). According to Kant, this principle accepts all definite moral necessities. This means that all immoral actions are illogical because they go against the Categorical Imperative. Mayor Daley abided by the principles of the Categorical Imperative. The mayor had objected to the Yippies and took all actions necessary. With rational thought Daley ordered the police officers to take necessary action to protect the city. He felt strongly about his city’s safety and needed to take immediate action. Kant…

    • 176 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    8. The Golden Rule (“do unto others as you would have them do unto you”) appears in the teachings of every major world religion.…

    • 1577 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Immanuel Kant

    • 448 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Immanuel Kant believed in utilitarianism, which is the moral philosophy that says we should act in such ways as to make the greatest number of people happy as possible. This is why he introduced the categorical imperative. As a moral law, it is a command that is unqualified and not dependent on any conditions or qualifications. In short, it tells us to act in such a way that we would want everyone else to act the same way.…

    • 448 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays