first formulation of the categorical imperative

Question 1

Contradictions in conception/ will

According to Kant, maxim should be universalizable and this means there must be no contradictions in the maxim.

Answer 1

2 ways:

• contradictions in conception
• contradiction in will

Question 2

Contradiction in conception

Conception- can’t think of a world where this happens/ works

Answer 2

it would somehow be self-contradictory for everyone to act on that maxim, these lead to perfect duties.
- Eg, lying, killing, stealing, jumping the queue.

Perfect duties- duties that we must always fulfil and have no choice over when or how. (eg. Do not kill)

Question 3

what is a contradiction in will?

Answer 3

Contradiction in will- it is logically possible for a world where this maxim works but you couldn’t rationally will it.

leads to imperfect duties

Question 4

what is imperfect duties?

Answer 4

case which we have some choice in how we fulfil the obligation (giving to charity) no specific person can demand that we fulfil an imperfect duty towards them.

some of the time

Breaking imperfect duty Is not always wrong and not always blameworthy. Quite how much of duty this becomes- how much we should help others- is not very clear.

Question 5

will and want

Answer 5

Willing and wanting or liking are different. Someone can want something that they don’t will- they don’t choose to act on their desire eg such as cheating on their partner with someone they find attractive. And someone can il something they don’t want such as going to the dentist for surgery. Kant is concerned with willing not wanting.

Question 6

standard form

Answer 6

P1- a will, by definition, wills it ends (goals)
P2- as we said above, to truly will the ends, means must will the necessary means.
C1- therefore we can’t rationally will a situation in which it would be impossible for us to achieve our ends. To do so is to cease to will the necessary means to one’s ends, which is effectively to cease to will any ends at all. This contradicts the very act of willing.
P3- It is possible that the only available means to our ends, in some situations, involves the help of others.
C2- we can’t therefore will that this possibility is denied to us.
C3- therefore were cannot will a situation in which no one ever helps anyone else.