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The Categorical Imperative: Immanuel Kant

Book Title: Contemporary Moral Problems
Seventh Edition

Author: James E. White

Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/Contemporary-Moral-Problems-James-White/dp/0495553204/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1235694270&sr=8-1

Library Reference:

Quote:  “I ought never to act except in such a way that I can also will that my maxim should become a universal law”

Learning Expectation:

In this essay I expect to learn the concept of categorical imperative. What does Immanuel Kant trying to prove here? What are his claims? Is this good for the people? These are just some of the questions that I have in mind, hopefully I could find out answers to my own questions at the end of this essay.

Review:

In this chapter the author talked about The Categorical Imperative, which is discussed by Immanuel Kant. He is a German was one of the most important philosophers of all time. He made significant contributions to all areas of philosophy. In this essay Kant will discuss two concepts and believes that these concepts can be made into one divine rule.

According to Kant he argued that intelligence, wit judgment, and any other talents of the mind that we can name or courage, resolution, constancy of purpose as qualities of temperament, are no doubt good and desirable in many respects; but they can also be extremely bad and hurtful when will is not good which has to make use of these gifts of nature, and which for this reason has the term “character” applied to its peculiar quality. I agree with Kant that whatever talents that a person possess and whatever talents that they showcase it is still not considered as completely good, they can still be bad if it will be use in bad ways.

Kant added that some qualities are helpful to good will and can make life easier, it also sets limit to the esteem in which they are rightly held and does not permit us to regard them as absolutely good. The moderation in affections and passions, self-control, and sober reflection are not only good in many aspects, they may constitute part of the inner worth of a person. Kant was trying to tell us that qualities are helpful to good will and can make life easier, I agree with him these qualities are positive qualities that can help us deal with different problems that a person can encounter anytime his/her life. There are also other qualities and actions which are not good to people, they are considered as bad which people must not possess or do.

Here’s what Kant thinks of Good will, it is not good of what it effects or accomplishes – because of its fitness for attaining some proposed end: it is good through its willing alone – that is the good in itself. It is true that what good will makes it good is the willing alone, the willing to do good things or outcome itself makes the good will good.

The next concept would be the duty, includes that of a good will, exposed to certain limitations and obstacles. It means that whatever duty a person has it should still include good will, for example a person that has a certain duty but basically his actions to fulfill his duty doesn’t include good will is considered wrong. It think the concept is good, even though a person has successfully fulfill his duty but in a wrong way then it is considered wrong or bad. For me if I did that I consider myself as a failure, because I didn’t do it in the right way. I should have done it in the right way rather than doing the other way.

These two concepts discussed on the first part brings us to the categorical imperative of Kant,  act only on that maxim through which you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law. I think I agree with this people should act  only on the truth that will bring good will and became a universal law. In short act only on truthfulness that will also result into good will. Nothing is bad about this, I believe that this is a good universal law. This will help people to do good on their entire stay here on earth, which in addition to this can help other people as well.

What I have learned:

I learned that categorical imperative consists of the two concepts discussed on the first part of this essay, Kant explained that duty consists good will. If duty is done in a wrong way it is not considered to be good.

Integrative Questions:
Who is Immanuel Kant?
What is the concept of good will?
What is the concept of duty?
Does concept of good will and duty come in hand?
What is the categorical imperative according to Kant?