Essays on Categorical Imperative

Kantianism is an ethical theory developed by the German philosopher, Immanuel Kant. The theory focuses on the correctness or wrongness of the actions themselves, as opposed to the correctness or wrongness of the consequences of those actions or the disposition of the actor (Holzhey and Mudroch 35). Kant's ethics further hold that people are bound to an ethical duty by universal ethical rules. Therefore, to act right in accordance with Kant's ethics would be motivated by appropriate universal principles that treat everyone as an end rather than just a mere means. The philosopher further asserts that being motivated by ...

Essay 1.

The universal formula of the categorical imperative is an objective law which proceeds from a subjective maxim – action and will. That is, when a given ethical consideration presents itself, a person must ask whether the action of his will agrees with nature (Kant 38). By its definition, the categorical imperative is the basis of duty. By nature, Kant means that which is objective, and that which exists as a part of nature – abiding by the laws of nature (Kant 38). Kant continues by stating that in ethical considerations, or duty, one must act subjectively through one’s will to ...

Utilitarianism can be described as a moral look and defined by consequentialism. It is an ethical theory which states that maximization of utility results in the best action. The utility can be described in different ways, and it mostly terms the well-being of the human beings. According to Jeremy Bentham, who is the founder of utilitarianism, the utility is the addition of all pressure resulting from an action; deduct the suffering of an individual involved in an action (Brian, 1957). The consequences of the action can either be good or bad, and utilitarianism insists of equality interests. Both Bentham ...

Positive discrimination is a type of affirmative action intended to equalize the disadvantage that minority groups have previously experienced. It centers on the idea that justified discrimination is required in certain circumstances in order for minority groups and individuals to gain equality in society. While both Kant and Aristotle would argue against positive discrimination, Kant would do so based on his principle of morality, whereas Aristotle would base his argument on the fairness of the outcome. Kant had firm ideas concerning the differentiation between principled and unprincipled policies. Kant argues that proper political thinking should start by confirming two ...

Philosophy

Question 1 Kant talks about two kinds of imperatives that create groundwork for metaphysics of morals. The two kinds of imperatives that Kant talks about include; hypothetical and categorical imperatives. Hypothetical imperative focuses on the consequences of an action that a person takes. A person can lie to save a life which is allowed under the hypothetical imperative. On the other hand, categorical imperative is the moral obligation that is absolute. Categorical imperative focuses on people acting on a principal that is deemed rational to all people in the society. According to Kant’s deontological ethics, morality is measured ...

Categorical imperative is universal and it means that all the people have to act in accordance with the requirements of morality no matter whether people agree with them or not. Kant believes that it is the priority to be able to discern right actions from wrong actions. Universal law is of the utmost importance and the right actions are moral and have to be universal in similar situations. People have to behave in a way which is good for other people and for themselves as well because other people have to respect the same law. Kant says that the ...

The movie ‘Gone Baby Gone’ from 2007 is the directorial debut by the Hollywood actor Ben Affleck. The topic is the private investigation of the little girl’s abduction which went into the unexpected direction. This art piece got mostly positive reviews. In a center of the audience’s and critic’ attention is the very ending of the movie and the moral dilemma expressed by it. Dilemma is presented through the action of the main character, young private detective, Patrick Kenzie (Casey Affleck). He has to decide: will he leave the saved little girl in the hands of the ...

Feature film “Gone, Baby, Gone” directed by Ben Affleck and based on the novel by the same name by Dennis Lehane does not only keep the attention of spectators but also makes them face a moral dilemma and judge if the final action by the main character, Patrick Kenzie, was right or wrong. In the article about this film, which is called “The cruelest crime of all” and was published by The Guardian in 2008 the author gives such a plot review: “The film has a sinuous, labyrinthine plot and what begins as a combination of police procedural thriller ...

Organizations that behave ethically are more apt to earn the trust of their customers, employees, and stockholders and to have a reputation as successful, competent and responsible professionals. It is important that organizations follow strict guidelines aimed high standards of quality, reliable services, high professionalism, social responsibility and ethical behaviour it their activity – only that way they can bring benefits to their clients, staff members and shareholders. The main ethical principles that each organization must follow in its activity are decency (avoidance of illegal and unethical practices), honesty (the urge to be honest with themselves, team members, customers and ...

The business discourse is a very interesting concept that exists in the modern society. Many people are trying to maximize their profit through all the possible ways that they can think of. Nothing stops them in creating income and adding it to their pocket. The debate in the world of business does not only aim on the first very prime aim of all the business relations. Some people may say that business exists only in order to increase the profit. However, there are different opinions that consider quite an opposite answer. There is a thought that the business world ...

Introduction

Ethics refers to those things that are firmly accepted ideas about what we should do in given situations (Velasquez, Andre, Shanks, and Meyer). For example, ethics might refer to a standard that says that stealing or murder or assault is not the right thing to do, and so it imposes restrictions on those activities. Ethics also includes virtues, such as honesty, compassion, and loyalty. The right to life, the right to privacy, and the right to be safe are also embedded in ethics, whether stated directly or not. What these things have in common is that the standards of ...

Immanuel Kant stance on ethics is remarkable, as it pays no heed to the consequences of an action arguing that there exist particular objective rules that can be discovered by reasoning beings. The categorical imperative is simply an expression of this. Such theories are called “deontological” ethical theories; the root of the word is derived from the Greek word “deon” that means duty. Therefore, the categorical imperative states that people have a duty to act in particular ways according to moral laws. Kant’s categorical imperative pays a greater emphasis on the intent of an action as opposed to ...

Philosophy

The correlation of ethics and philosophy is a problem, it is difficult to say to what extent the morality is socially determined. In fact, we should talk about an individual morality, but even in this case, it should be borne in mind that even very personal, individual norms and moral values ​​in most cases have a social nature. In some cases, their social origin is not so obvious, but upon closer inspection we can find that any individual morality is largely socially determined. This situation is explained by the fact that the process of establishment and the formation of ...

The Categorical Imperative

The categorical imperative is the highest principle that was founded by Immanuel Kant, a German philosopher. It is categorical because it does not depend on a person’s specific wish and imperative because means a command of a reason. According to Kant, it is not ethical or moral to use other people in order to achieve your personal goals or gain a profit. For example, if you need money and there is somebody who can lend it to you but you know exactly that you cannot afford to pay the debt it is not right to borrow. Kant considers ...

1. In your own words, provide a concise formulation of Utilitarianism. In particular, explain the reasons Bentham and Mill give in support of it. In your own words, provide a concise formulation of Kant’s deontological ethics. In particular, explain the role of the Categorical Imperative in Kantian ethics. In light of the criticisms offered of both accounts, which account is more plausible? Explain why. (70 marks.) Within Utilitarianism it is believed that there is a moral obligation to attain the best world possible. In order to do so, it is necessary to ensure that harm, or what would ...

Epicurus viewed death as annihilation. He observed that people fear death because they think they will have unpleasant life after death. He says this fear can be removed when a personal understands death as an annihilation since the atoms that make life disperse after death. He thinks that death is neither harmful for the people who are living nor to the dead. This, he argues, is because the living are not dead while the dead do not exist. He also thinks that when people anticipate death it is erroneous for them and irrational since there is no life after ...

The most fundamental aim of moral philosophy is the seeking out of the foundational principles that guide the metaphysics of morals. Among the three propositions that were argued by Kant were inclusive in gaining better knowledge of morality and principles behind it. Theoretical thought of morality had several requirements that were central to understanding. Fundamentally the three include the use of common sense that is the first through observation. Common sense is a distinguishing factor that determines several parameters like when an individual acts against duty, wen actions are based on the fulfillment of duty but lack motivation and ...

Analysis

The plan of ABC Company to build an adult entertainment retail store in the newly acquired land raises an ethical issue. The ethical issue arises from the fact that Owen is Luke’s brother who works for the company and has been assigned to develop the land for the construction of the entertainment facility. The construction of the facility would reduce the market price of the estate. Owen intends to sell the land and, therefore, Luke is concerned that the land belonging to his brother will deteriorate in price. Luke considers telling his brother Owen about the construction to ...

Introduction

An environmental dilemma is a situation whereby a solution has a negative outcome. A solution can be considered an environmental dilemma if it has a negative impact. There are several environmental dilemmas that affect us today. Different governments have moved in to implement laws with an aim of protecting the environment. However, some of the remedies they implement to protect the environment turn out to be hazardous.

The depletion of the ozone layer has been a major concern for the past decade. Dangerous fumes emitted to the atmosphere have been reduced greatly over the past few years. This has been achieved through the use ...