A Critique of the Categorical Imperative - 1689 Words

A Critique of the Categorical imperative Immanuel Kant was without doubt one of the most influential Philosophers of his time. He was born in Koinsberg, Prussia on the 22nd of April 1724, and died on the 12th of February 1804 at the age of 79. Throughout his life Kant contributed his ideas to many major fields of Philosophy; however his biggest contribution was to the realm of ethics, when he developed the concept of the categorical imperative. He first introduced this idea in 1785 in a book he titled Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals. The categorical imperative was a revolutionary idea that contrary to the spirit of its time focused on how the morality of an action was not dependant on its consequences or the intentions of its undertaker, rather solely on the intrinsic moral worth of the action itself. This concept has been challenged since its birth and been often regarded as a rather impractical and often contradicting facet of moral philosophy. Although the previous allegation is true, the ideas behind the catego rical imperative give a significant and much needed challenge our modern day notions of morality. The Kantian term categorical imperative essentially refers to a moral command that must be followed absolutely, regardless of the situation it is being applied in, or the motivations and desires of the individual following the imperative. Like the rules that govern arithmetic according to Kant the rules regarding morality too should be free from any sort ofShow MoreRelatedMorality via Kant and Hegel1712 Words   |  7 PagesTranscendental Idealism as his cornerstone, Kant argued that Reason – to him a defining and immutable trait of human nature – allows for the derivation of formal and universally valid moral princip-les. His famous derivation of these, the Categorical Imperative, tantalizing promises an Archimedean point to morality: The moral standpoint from which one can always judge apodictically what is right independent of one’s vested empirical interests. Opposite the classical eudemonistic theories, Kant importantlyRead MoreKant And The Moral Law1451 Wo rds   |  6 Pages Kant would disagree with those who do the right thing for the wrong reason. We, as a society and individuals in that society, should act in ways not because it’s easy for us or more favourable, but because its right and moral. 4) The Categorical Imperative: We see that Kant establishes that a moral action effectively consists of a moral intention motivating that action. Therefore, doing the right thing because it is right. Kant describes motives that are selfish, and for the wrong reasons asRead MoreKant s Philosophy On Moral Philosophy1515 Words   |  7 Pagesobjections to Kant in two different ways, implicitly and explicitly. Hegel gives arguments against Kant’s moral theory as well as the general philosophical thought that produces the moral theory that Kant presents. But in order to understand Hegel’s critique of Kant, we must first understand the content of Kant’s moral philosophy and its formulation. Kant’s Moral Philosophy The crux of Kant’s moral philosophy comes from the idea that morality is derived from rationality- rational thought leads us toRead MoreKantian Ethics And The Categorical Imperative Essay1581 Words   |  7 PagesAnalysis of Kantian Ethics and critiques In Elements of Pure Practical Reason Book, I, Immanuel Kant, a prominent late Enlightenment Era German philosopher discusses his most famous ethical theory, the â€Å"Categorical Imperative.† The â€Å"Categorical Imperative† is a proposed universal law in stating all humans are forbidden from certain actions regardless of consequences. Although this is the general definition of this ethical theory, the Categorical Imperative† exists in two above formulations, A strictRead MoreEmmanuel Kant and Moral Theory1589 Words   |  6 Pagesproceeds numerically with its three chapters and concludes by identifying the supreme principle of morality â€Å"the categorical imperative.† The Metaphysics of Morals is divided into three sections of different subject-matter that are successively ordered with Kants strategy that transitions from common beliefs to moral philosophy to the metaphysics of morals and finally to the critique of pure reason. His first section, the groundwork of metaphysics of morals, introduces the concept of good will†Read MoreBook Report on Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysic of Morals by Kant599 Words   |  3 PagesMetaphysic of Morals by Kant Kant states (38,) act as if the maxim of thy action were to become by thy will a universal law of nature. This categorical imperative forms the basis of his book, Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysics of Morals. Though at times his writing is confusing Kant lays out his logic as to what a categorical imperative is. Kant divides the book into three sections. The first explains the transition from everyday moral beliefs to the philosophy of those morals. TheRead More Immanuel, Kant (1724-1804) Essays1201 Words   |  5 Pagesmost of his life. He was also greatly interested in science and published works on astronomy and geophysics. His three most significant works were published later in life. The Critique of Pure Reason came out in 1781, followed in 1788 by the Critique of Practical Reason and in 1790 by the Critique of Judgment. The Critique of Pure Reason is one of the most important works in the whole of philosophy. Unfortunately it is also one of the most unreadable - Kant himself described it as dry and obscureRead MoreImmanuel Kant and the Moral Law788 Words   |  4 PagesImmanuel Kant was a German philosopher from the 18th century, widely known for his various achievements and works such as Critique of Pure Reason and Foundations of Metaphysics of Morals. Kant developed a theory of ethics that depends on reason rather than emotion called The Moral Law. Kant was not anti-religious but he wanted an ethical system that was not obscured by religion, emotion or personal interpretation. According to Kant, morality is a function of reason, based on our consciousness ofRead MoreKant s Powerful Reasoning For M oral Atrocities1525 Words   |  7 Pagesmoral atrocities. Kant explains his moral theory, the categorical imperative, in â€Å"Grounding for the metaphysics of Morals†. In this paper i will argue that Kantian reasoning provides the most powerful understanding of how to assess and navigate moral dilemmas concerning atrocities when compared to Utilitarianism. In order to effectively do so, i will be using a case by Bernard Williams. The case by Williams in â€Å"A critique of Utilitarianism,† is as followed. Jim is in a small SouthRead MoreAll Mankind, Possesses An Equal Basic Moral Status. We1627 Words   |  7 Pagesbounds of reason alone.† He argued, that what we believe in historical religion had all been wrong. That people had a great need to promote ethical behavior, which of course is still true today. With this Kant came up with the idea called the â€Å"Categorical Imperative†, which could also be recognized as â€Å"Groundwork of the metaphysics of morals.† This meant, â€Å"Act only per that axiom by which you put up at the same time will that it should become a general law.† When I first read that, I had to take it a