The Categorical Imperative Immanuel Kant - 842 Words

The categorical imperative is Immanuel Kant’s improvement on the Golden rule and all rules associated with the Golden Rule. We are called by Kant to act as how we wish all others to act. According to an article in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, â€Å"Kant characterized the [categorical imperative] as an objective, rationally necessary and unconditional principle that we must always follow despite any natural desires or inclinations we may have to the contrary† (Johnson and Cureton). The categorical imperative is defined using three statements. Each of the three statements represents a different process, through which a determination is made of whether or not an action has a moral contradiction. If there is a contradiction, the†¦show more content†¦By asking the question, â€Å"Is anyone just being treated as a means,† one consequently raises the question, â€Å"Are anyone’s human rights being violated here?† Thus, Kantâ€⠄¢s categorical imperative is unequivocally related to the idea of universal human rights. Kant’s reasoning for the concept of universal human rights or human dignity stem from the idea that humans are inherently valuable; they are priceless in themselves, and therefore, conversely earned their human rights at birth. Though Kant places much emphasis on morality, he also holds that morality does not determine the possibility of human rights. The only thing that actualizes the existence of human rights is the human’s existence. Kant recognizes that in a kingdom of ends where everything has either a price or a dignity, anything with a price can be replaced. On the contrary, anything that is above all price, has a dignity (40). As one cannot put a value on a human, humans have dignity. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights further supports this when it denotes that â€Å"all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights† (UN General Assembly art. 1). When one is considering human dignity, I have found that is is beneficial to also c onsider basic human rights as they relate to said dignity. Once one recognizes that there is an inherent human dignity, it is important to understand what is actually means to respect this dignity. As noted by Fagan, â€Å"Kant provides a formulation ofShow MoreRelatedImmanuel Kant And The Categorical Imperative1437 Words   |  6 PagesImmanuel Kant, a German philosopher, specifically a deontologist, has two imperatives: the hypothetical imperative and the categorical imperative. These imperatives describe what we ought to do and are only applicable to rational beings because they are the only beings that recognize what they ought or ought not to do. The hypothetical imperative is when an individual’s actions are reasoned by their desire, so they only act with the intention of fulfilling their desires. The categorical imperativeRead MoreCategorical Imperative By Immanuel Kant946 Words   |  4 Pagesintellect regardless of religion or belief in a God. Immanuel Kant’s Categorical Imperative, arguably what he is best known for can be summed up for an argument for making the right moral decision, as if they applied to everyone equally. This can be done using a person’s sense of reason, and consideration for others. Likewise these imperatives are the moral obligations you need to follow, despite your desires. While applying this to religions, Kant believed that making a moral choice based on religionRead MoreImmanuel Kant s Categorical Imperative878 Words   |  4 PagesI would not take any shoes or clothing to wear based on Kant’s categorical imperative: do what’s right no matter the cost, and utilitarianism: the greater good of the whole, altruism: love your neighbor. The problem in this scenario is that the counselors at the camp for needy children are stealing cloths and shoes that were donated for the children and are encouraging me to partake in taking the items as well. My solution to this problem would not only be not to participate, but to report the otherRead MoreJohn Stuart Mill s Utilitarianism And Immanuel Kant s Categorical Imperative1487 Words   |  6 Pagesof moral philosophies one can align themselves with, but two major categories of moral philosophy are the most popular and the most debated. These are John Stuart Mill’s Utilitarianism and Immanuel Kant’s Categorical Imperative. In looking at the three trolley cases, one can align themselves with either Mill, Kant or create their own perspective. Utilitarianism is defended by Mill in his writing entitled Utilitarianism. This method of deciphering good versus bad is rather simple. The PrincipleRead MoreImmanuel Kant (1724-1804) is better known for his Categorical Imperative Theory in which he bases600 Words   |  3 PagesImmanuel Kant (1724-1804) is better known for his Categorical Imperative Theory in which he bases the standard of rationality on fundamental moral principle. Mill’s on the other hand focuses on the Greatest Happiness Principle or the principle of utility. With regards to similarities between them Kant and Mills seem to have universal morality rules where Kant (duties) address one’s own will to be a universal law of nature and Mills (subordinate principles) acknowledging the same actions for all humansRead MoreKantian Ethics And The Categorical Imperative Essay1581 Words   |  7 PagesPractical Reason Book, I, Immanuel Kant, a prominent late Enlightenment Era German philosopher discusses h is 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 strict interpretation of Categorical Imperative and a more liberal interpretationRead MoreEssay about Kants Formalism Theory716 Words   |  3 PagesKants Formalism Theory The theories of Immanuel Kant, a German philosopher, have had an impact on the formulation and shaping of ethics today. Immanuel Kant graced this earth from 1724 to 1804. During his eighty year life time, he formulated many interesting ideas regarding ethical conduct and motivation. Kant is strictly a non-consequentialist philosopher, which means that he believes that a persons choices should have nothing to do with the desired outcome, but instead mankind simplyRead MoreAnalysis of Immanuel Kants Arguements in The Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysic of Morals†542 Words   |  3 PagesControversies course textbook, Immanuel Kant argues that the view of the world and its laws is structured by human concepts and categories, and the rationale of it is the source of morality which depends upon belief in the existence of God. In Kant’s work, categorical imperative was established in order to have a standard rationale from where all moral requirements derive. Therefore, categorical imperative is an obligation to act morally, out of duty and good will alone. In Immanuel Kant’s writing human reasonRead More Kants Formalism Theory Essay715 Words   |  3 Pages Kants Formalism Theory nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; The theories of Immanuel Kant, a German philosopher, have had an impact on the formulation and shaping of ethics today. Immanuel Kant graced this earth from 1724 to 1804. During his eighty year life time, he formulated many interesting ideas regarding ethical conduct and motivation. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Kant is strictly a non-consequentialist philosopher, which means that he believes that a persons choices should have nothing to doRead MoreEssay about The Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals1064 Words   |  5 Pagesquestions Immanuel Kant answers in, â€Å"The Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals†. Kant discusses many questions with arguable answers, which explains why he is one of the most controversial philosophers still today. Throughout Kant’s work, multiple ideas are considered, but the Categorical Imperative is one of the most prevalent. Though this concept is extremely dense, the Categorical Imperative is the law of freedom that grounds pure ethics of the metaphysics of ethics. Categorical imperatives are the