hypothetical imperatives and categorical imperatives

Question 1

maxims- hypo and cate imperatives

Answer 1

an act is only permissible if one is willing for the maxim that allows the action to be a universal law by which everyone acts. Maxims fail this test if they produce either a contradiction in conception or a contradiction in the will when universalized.

Question 2

two types of imperatives

Answer 2

hypothetical and categorical

Question 3

hypothetical imperative

Answer 3

hypothetical imperatives are not moral imperatives. ‘if you want x you must do y’ conditional

Question 4

Categorical imperatives

Answer 4

not dependent on any goals or aims you may have. We have certain obligations or duty regardless of any consequences. ‘you must do y’ unconditional.

Question 5

issues with hypothetical imperatives

Answer 5

Kant isn’t interested in hypothetical imperatives because they’re not moral imperatives.
- Lack universality to be moral imperatives- based on desires/ ends that not everyone shares.
- Actions based on hypothetical imperatives are performed because we are trying to achieve a personal goal, actions motivated by personal goals have no moral worth.
- Different agent-> different goals-> different hypnotical imperative
Only goals motivated by a good will- a duty to do the right things- counts as moral actions.

Question 6

why categorical imperatives are the correct basis for maxims

Answer 6

• For Kant moral laws should be universal and apply to everyone- regardless of their particular desires, these are central to morality are ones that are unconditional and absolute.

Eg. You ought to keep your promises. Duty- should/ should not.
- Regardless of goals, desires, motive
- Applies to everyone universal
Not dependent on any goals or aims were may have- the if you want x’ part is gone leaving with ‘you must do y’.
- These tell us we have a certain obligation or duty regardless of the consequences, this is unconditional or categorical, the sort ought that Kant regard as the only genuinely moral ought.
Only imperative with moral worth- consist and applies to everyone

Question 7

examples- suicide
if you were to commit suicide you would have to think in all situations and circumstances would committing suicide a moral thing? Would it be morally right if healthy people or people bullied into a state of depression to commit suicide? Answer is no.

Answer 7

example- telling lies
Kant argues that its never morally acceptable to lie. Imagine walking and seeing a man turn a corner, you carry on walking then see another with a gun asking about where the man that passed you went? Do you lie? Say you don’t know? Kant said never to lie, you must tell the truth. His argument is lying were turned into a universal law it would mean that it would be morally right to lie in any situation, since human relationships are grounded in truth it would be impossible for any trust between people to exist.

Question 8

The universal law principle

Answer 8

Act only on that maxim whereby which you can at the same time will that it becomes a universal law