Categorical Imperative (3 formulas)

Categorical Imperative (3 formulas)

1. Something human beings are duty bound to do whatever the circumstances

2. 1. Universalisation

   • For his action to be morally valid...the person would have to be sure that in the exact same situation any other human being would do the same action, before doing the action
   • "So act that the Maxim of your will could always hold at the same time as a principle of establishing universal law"

3. 2. Human as ends

   • For Kant a moral code must treat humans with respect and not just as a means to an end
     • He regarded humanity as the highest point in GOD's creation, intelligent rational beings with human rights
       • Kant was against exploitation and therefore would be against human slavery. Not using human being as only a means even if it would result in some overall greater good.
       • Kant did agree with using people as a means e.g. using the doctor to treat an illness
   • Act in such a way that you always treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other never simply as a means but always at the same time as an end

4. 3. The Kingdom of Ends

   • "Act as if a legislating member in the universal kingdom of ends"
   • Your moral choices should be compatible with a society of free and autonomous moral agents. On the assumption that others would also act morally and treat everyone as 'ends' not 'means'. Everyone is treated as an 'end' not as a 'means'

5. Is a test to determine whether your desires are moral or not