Chapter 7

Title: Immanuel Kant: The Categorical Imperative

Quote:

“Act only on that maxim through which you can at the same time will that it should become a
universal law”

Expectation:

I expect that I will gain important information about Kant’s philosophical thinking about
categorical imperative.

Book Review:

In general, Immanuel Kant of categorical imperative discussed and illustrated the

meaning of it and the rules towards many people. Kant’s philosophical view of good will is one
of his important moral ideas. The meaning of good will is close in being a good person or a
person of good will. His account of the good will has a duty in agreement with the universal
moral law that all human being has their own freedom. Good will like courage, resolution, and
constancy of purpose are good in many compliments.

There is no implied limit or qualification in giving moral considerations that will take
affect to the determination to give moral considerations. Maintaining one’s moral goodness is
very important in every condition that being pursued by people. Pleasure and intelligence has
also something to do with good will because it does not require giving up on every person’s
moral certainties.

The goodness of good should not depend on any particular situations that are obtaining.
Therefore, Kant illustrates that a good will must also be good in itself and not only to the good
value on any meticulous happenings.
 One of the formulations of Kant’s categorical imperative is the Formula of Universal
Law of Nature which effects to sum up a decision process of moral way of thinking. People
should act in any circumstances that govern all normal means and by natural law, act as
proposing your self. Always consider whether your saying is considerable in a place governed by
this law of nature.

Base on Kant’s study, there are also two duties imposed by the first formulation, such as,
the perfect duty and the imperfect duty. These duties consists respect for the law. These are also
created by rules and laws. Thus, if we have our own duty, our inspiration is to respect the law
and do our responsibilities and duties.

Integrity Questions:

• Who is Immanuel Kant?

• What is an account of good will? How important is this?

• What is categorical imperative?

• What is hypothetical imperative?

• What is a maxim?

• How many formulations did Immanuel discuss in this chapter?

• What are the two duties imposed by the first formulation?

Review Questions:

1. Explain Kant’s account of the good will.

From Kant’s chapter, his account of the good will has a duty in agreement with the
universal moral law that all human being has their own freedom. Good will like courage,
resolution, and constancy of purpose are good in many compliments.

2. Distinguish between hypothetical and categorical imperatives.

 Categorical imperative is introduced by Immanuel Kant. According to him that the
human beings have an important role in creation from which all duties of every person
derives, whereas hypothetical imperative induces action in a specified condition or to do
something that will satisfy our desired goal.

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.
From this formulation, he bring to a close that a moral proposition that is true should not
be the one to tie in any particular conditions. Kant also undertook that a moral maxim
must have universality. The formulation is divided to two, such as, perfect duty and
imperfect duty. Categorical imperative sets that a duty is necessity to act out of respect
for the law.

4. State the second version of the categorical imperative (using the language of means and
end) and explain it.
The second version of categorical imperative has a free will, a source of all normal
action. By combining the second to the first formulation, a person has a perfect duty due
to not using the humanity of them.

Discussion Question:

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.

The two versions of the categorical imperative have their own different expressions. The
first focuses on duties while the second discusses about the source of all human action.

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 counterexamples.
 No, all duties has its moral worth because you will take many responsibilities and
obligations to reach your purpose.

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

Yes it can be used to justify non-moral actions as a good criticism.