Kant's Categorical Imperative Quiz and Flashcards

Study Notes

Immanuel Kant and the Categorical Imperative

Immanuel Kant was born on April 22, 1724, in Königsberg, Prussia (now Kaliningrad, Russia)
He believed that Rationality should be the only foundation of Ethics and Morality, with no requirement for God or religion
Morality is a product of Rationality, making the categorical imperative absolute and universal

Key Principles

Good Will: Doing things because they are morally correct, not because of the result they might produce; it is a necessary principle of doing good because it is one's duty
Categorical Imperative: A form of Deontological Ethical Theory (Duty/Obligation based Ethical Theory) that obligates individuals to do what is good
Direct Order: "Act only according to that maxim by which you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law"
Principle of Universalizability: An action is right if and only if you could rationally will it to be universal

Maxim and Universal Law

Maxim: A rule and/or principle of action that, as a universal law, means to have everyone in a similar situation always act according to the same rule
Universal Law: A rule that applies to everyone in similar situations, making it a universal standard for morality

Humanity and Autonomy

Principle of Humanity: Act as to treat humanity/man as an end, not as a means only
Kingdom of Ends: A society where individuals are treated as ends in themselves, never merely as things or tools to be used for personal purposes
Principle of Autonomy: Not only a follower of universal law (moral law), but also an autonomous individual who makes their own moral decisions

Description

Learn about the philosophical concept of the Categorical Imperative proposed by Immanuel Kant. Explore how Kant believed rationality should be the foundation of ethics and morality, and how morality is a product of rationality. Understand the idea that if an action is wrong, it is wrong for everyone, with no exemptions allowed.