Kant 3

Question 1

1. Can we ever be totally certain that there is not some “secret impulse of self-love” at work in the
   determination of our will?

Answer 1

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Question 2

2. Is Kant more concerned with the actions themselves or with the inner principles motivating the actions?

Answer 2

He is more concerned about the inner motivation to the actions. Were you acting out of duty? It isn’t the action rather the why behind the action which determines whether a person in virtuose or not.

Question 3

3. Kant claims that there may have never been a truly sincere friend, yet what does duty still demand?

Answer 3

Still demands you be a sincere friend. (like Jesus commanding us to be perfect. They set the standard.

Question 4

4. What is definition of the one categorical imperative? What does it mean?

Answer 4

Hypothetical: if x then y.
Categorical imperitive. action is neccessary in itself not for a further end. ( universal and commands of reason)
don’t do things you wouldn’t want to become universal law.

Question 5

5. What is the second formulation of the categorical imperative? (hint: it involves nature)

Answer 5

Law of nature: pg 30: could you will your will to be made a universal law of nature.

Question 6

6. What does the example of the man reduced to despair teach us regarding the categorical imperative? How is contradiction involved?

Answer 6

law of nature: self love
I cannot us myself as a means
Living things want to thrive. So we cannot make suicide a law of nature.
Contradiction: if I try to make suicide as a will due to self love, and end pain, but self love is what makes us want to live. this is a contradiction.

Question 7

7. What does the example of the man who needs to borrow money teach us? How is contradiction involved?

Answer 7

Law of nature: self love/ self advantage

I cannot use another person as a means to an end they do not hold.