Immanuel Kant: The Categorical Imperative

Name of the Book: Contemporary Moral Problems

Library Reference: N/A

Amazon Link:

http://www.amazon.com/Contemporary-Moral-Problems-James-White/dp/0495553204/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1233910528&sr=1-1

Quote:

“ Being whose existence depends, not on our will, but on nature, have none the

less, if they are non-national beings, only a relative value as means and are consequently

called things. “ By: Immanuel Kant

Learning Expectations:

1. Expects to learn about Categorical Imperative.

2. Expects to learn more about Imperative.

3. Expects to learn what is being argued in this chapter of this book.

4. Expects to learn more about morality.

5. Expects to learn what’s the difference of the authors’ point of view and my point

of view.

Book Review:

In this chapter the author talks about good will on how it can be good but the

authors also said that it can also be extremely bad or it can also be hurtful the author said

it is dependent to your actions. But I think good will is intended for the good deeds and is

not intended for doing bad things. But in this chapter good will is not for good it is bad

because of the results or accomplishments. Because they say that good will would be the

one that would only be left and the accomplishments would be nothing, there wouldn’t be

accomplishments and good will would just be left although good will is done.

Things I have learned:

I have learned that even though it is called as a good will it is not already for the

good things. But instead it can also be a bad thing it is not looked at the things that is

being done but it should also be looked at the accomplishments.

Integrative Questions:

What is Categorical Imperative?

What is Hypothetical Imperative?

What the difference of Categorical Imperative to Hypothetical Imperative?

What is Good Will?

What’s the effect of good will to our life?

Review Questions:

1. Explain Kant’s account of the good will. • According to Kant, “ It is impossible to conceive anything at all in the world, or

even out of it, which can be taken as good without qualification, except a good will.” So Kant is saying that an action can’t be good without qualification except if good will happens.

2. Distinguish between hypothetical and categorical imperatives.

• Hypothetical imperatives form the word itself hypothetical it is theoretical so it means that it is something that is obtained before it happens. While categorical imperative is something that in an orderly manner.

3. State the first formulation of the categorical imperative (using the notion of a universal law), and explain how Kant uses this rule to derive some specific duties toward self and others.

• According to Kant "Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law.” So Kant is saying that we should just act according to how maxim is describe because it can be a universal law.

4. State the second version of the categorical imperative (using the language of means and end) and explain it.

• According to Kant “The end justifies the means.” So this means that your accomplishments or the things that you have than whether this is good or bad could describe your action before you did it.

Discussion Questions:

1. Are the two versions of the categorical imperative just different expressions of one basic rule, or are they two different rules? Defend your view.

They are two different rules because one is looked at a group of people while the other one is looked at the single persons view.

2. Kant claims that an action that is not done from the motive of duty has no moral worth. Do you agree or not? If not, give some counter examples.

I don’t agree because it is not always that it would be a moral act if it is your duty.

3. Some commentators think that the categorical imperative (particularly the first formulation can be used to justify non-moral or immoral actions). Is this a good criticism?

Yes, because how if other people look at it in a different way. Then they

can’t be justified? So they should be justified because not all people

are the same.