What is the Kant's categorical imperative?

Kant's categorical imperative is a test he created to see if an act is morally wrong. It simply states that 'an act in a particular circumstance is right if and only if you would choose that everyone perform the same act in under the same circumstances'. For example consider 'it is permissible to lie to further your own interests'. If we compare this to the CI test we draw the conclusion that lying to further your own interests is morally impermissible. It forms the basis of his universality of morality, that all humans can reason- think, their way to the same moral truths. Furthermore the CI is where Kant derives the idea of duties from. These, broadly speaking, are things humans are morally obliged to do.

NM
Answered by Nathan M. Philosophy and Ethics tutor

2735 Views

See similar Philosophy and Ethics A Level tutors

Related Philosophy and Ethics A Level answers

All answers ▸

How can 'Natural Moral Law' be critiqued as an ethical theory?


How should I structure an essay evaluating the view that Aquinas' 'Analogy' is more revealing than Wittgenstein's 'Language Games'?


What is Plato's Analogy of the Cave and its significance for philosophers?


Ethics: Considering Deontological Arguments of Ethics, to what extent do the strengths and weaknesses demonstrate the plausibility of this argument as a guideline for moral decision making?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences