Kant and Categorical Imperatives Flashcards
Maxim
The rule that we are following where we perform an action
Hypothetical imperative
A command that is followed to achieve a desired result
Categorical imperative
A command that is good in itself regardless of the consequences
Difference between hypothetical and categorical
Hypothetical imperatives are ‘if’ commands (don’t eat more cake, if you want to lose weight)
Categorical imperatives have no ‘if’ about them they are absolute (don’t kill) - it’s our duty to act on anything that is a categorical imperative
1st categorical imperatives
Formula of the law of nature (whereby a maxim can be established as a universal law)
Duty
Acting morally according to good regardless of the consequences
2nd categorical imperative
Formula of the end in itself ( whereby people are treated as ends in themselves and not means to an end)
3rd categorical imperative
Formula of the kingdom of ends (whereby a society if rationality is established in which people treat each other as ends and not means)
Duty and good will
An action is only good when a person acts from a sense of good will. Good will + duty = moral action
Emotions are subjective and therefore not moral. The only good reason to put good will into action is a senes of duty.
Kant’s 3 postulates
Freedom
Immorality
God
1st postulate
Freedom - if we act morally then we must be capable of exercising freedom or autonomy of the will
2nd postulate
Immorality - the summum bonum cannot be achieve i this life so there must be life after death where we are immortal
3rd postulate
God - if there is life after death there has to be a God
The summum bonum
The highest good
The best possible good that Kant saw (virtue and happiness). We recognise true virtue should be rewarded by happiness
Main weaknesses of Kantian ethics
Too abstract Universalisability Conflicting duties Too cold a theory because its reliant on reason Inflexible
