KANT- The Categorical Imperative(First Formulation) Flashcards
What are moral imperatives
Categorical imperatives
What the categorical imperative (the unvisersal law formulation)
Kant said:” Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law without contradiction”
It’s an imperative as a rational being to be logically consistent
This imperative can be used as a test to work out how to behave morally
What is the example relating to false promises being a perfect duty (to avoid)
A man needs money. He intends to get this by promising to pay it back but has to ingest of repaying
What are the steps to find out whether the false promises example can be willed as a universal law without contradiction
Step 1) work out the underlying rule followed(the maxim). Try to think as general as possible e.g. when in need, make promises with no intention of keeping them to gain help.
Step two) could you live in a world where everyone followed this maxim. No one would trust promises anymore. This creates a contradiction as the man willing the maxim is willing to live in a world of no promises but simultaneously willing that he gains money via giving false promise
Why is the false promise example a contradiction in will
As the contradiction happens at the conceiving stage, it’s a contradiction in will and the maxim generates a perfect duty to not follow it in this case
We have a pervert duty to keep promises
What is a perfect duty
One that we are always obligated to follow. Breaking one is always wrong and a v your actions would always be blameworthy
What is the example of the imperfect duty of helping others
Someone is doing well in life. He sees that others need help but is not inclined to help
What is step one in working out whether the helping others maxim is moral
The underlying maxim is something like: I will not help those in distress, when I easily could, through selfishness
What is step two A in working out whether the example of the maxim helping others is moral
Can you conceive a would with this maxim as a law? Kant thinks it’s possible to conceive a world where people don’t help each other, so the maxim cannot be ruled out at this stage
What is step two B in working out whether the example of the maxim helping others is moral
To think whether you can rationally will that this be a universal law. Kant said no as everyone has been in a situation where they cannot help themselves and need the help of others e.g. as a baby.
We wouldn’t want to be in a position where we need help and no one will.
Why is the maxim in the helping others example am imperfect duty
As it was conceived as a universal law but cannot be consistently willed it’s a contradiction in will which generates an imperfect duty - an imperfect duty to not help others, which means that in situations when we can easily help, we cannot always ignore those in need
What is an imperfect duty
One that we aren’t always obligated to follow
Breaking one isn’t always wrong and isn’t always blameworthy
