Immanuel Kant: Categorical Imperative
One might ask, who is Immanuel Kant and why is he important. Immanuel Kant is a famous German philosopher. He was known for his understanding in epistemology and his ideology on ethics. He was a turtor for nine years prior to him finishing college. After graduating, he worked as a professor for 15 years at the University of Koinsbergs before he was appointed as the chair of logic and metaphysics, which is the study of how reality and the universe came to exist. Kant kept his job as chairman until a couple if years before he died on February 12, 1804.
Categorical Imperatives
By definition categorical imperatives are "an unconditional obligation which is binding in all circumstances and is not dependednt on a person's inclination por purpose. This means that we as people are obligated to the right thing at all times no matter the circumstances. So, even in situations where you might be able to save someone's life with a lie, you are still obligated to tell the truth, no matter the consequences.
Below are two videos to help your further understand what categorical imperatives are and where there originated from.
Univeralizability: “Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law.”- Immanuel Kant
This imperative focuses on the value followed by the statement, "treat everyone how you want to be treated. " Kant believed that people should only act in ways that they would be comfortable with everyone else in the world doing. So, for example, if I was at Walmart and saw a t-shirt that I really wanted but I didn't have the money for, I might be compelled to steal it even though I know it's wrong. Although, I may be able to get away with it, Kant would implore me to think about the possibility of everyone in the store stealing what they couldn't afford or didn't want to buy. This would result in a shortage of items at the store which would ultimately have negative effects on everyone. It’s an argument stating that if you would not agree with everyone else in the world performing an act that you are doing then it is your moral obligation to refrain from taking part in that act.
Here is a video explaing this concept.
The Formula of Humanity: “Act so that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in that of another, always as an end, and never as a mere means.”
- Immanuel Kant
The Kingdom of Ends formula is the idea that all good moral humans are working together to abide by the “universal law.” This means that as a collective we should all be working together cohesively to protect the autonomy of each other and in order to do so we must not act selfishly but selflessly.
Summary:
Kant’s categorical imperative is almost a fancy phrase for something that we have all been told or at least heard once in our lives which is to treat everyone how you want to be treated but in this case we must remain morally correct in all situations even if you feel that you are going against the “universal law” for good reason. Kant focuses on the principles of our actions more than the specific act itself.
"remain morally correct in all situations even if you feel that you are going against the “universal law”...
ReplyDeleteFeeling or inclination, as opposed to rationally-derived duty, is indeed irrelevant to Kant in determining right action. But he wouldn't support violating "universal law," that's his point: obey the law, when it conflicts with feeling or inclination. Do your duty. Do the right (and lawful) thing. Period.