Overview
This lecture explores Immanuel Kant’s moral philosophy, contrasting it with religion-based ethics, and introduces his foundational concepts of hypothetical and categorical imperatives.
Kant vs. Religion-Based Ethics
- Traditional ethical theories like Divine Command Theory and Natural Law ground morality in God or supernatural forces.
- Kant rejected connecting morality and religion, asserting that moral truths are knowable through reason alone.
- Moral laws, for Kant, are constant and universally applicable, independent of individual beliefs or desires.
Hypothetical vs. Categorical Imperatives
- Hypothetical imperatives: if-then commands based on personal desires (e.g., "If you want to pass, you should study").
- These imperatives are about prudence, not morality, and can be opted out if the desire changes.
- Categorical imperatives: unconditional moral obligations that apply regardless of personal desires.
- Morality, for Kant, is rooted in categorical imperatives derived from reason.
First Formulation: Universalizability Principle
- Act according to a maxim you could will to become a universal law without contradiction.
- Maxims are general principles behind specific actions.
- Actions are moral only if they can be universalized without contradiction (e.g., stealing cannot be universalized).
Second Formulation: Humanity as an End
- Treat humanity, whether in yourself or others, always as an end, never as a mere means.
- Using someone as a "mere means" ignores their interests and autonomy.
- It's morally acceptable to use people as means if their humanity and autonomy are respected.
Moral Consequences and Autonomy
- Lying and deception are always immoral because they violate others' autonomy.
- Humans have absolute moral worth because we are rational, autonomous agents.
- Proper application of the categorical imperative leads to universal, rational moral truths.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Hypothetical Imperative — A conditional command based on desires.
- Categorical Imperative — An unconditional moral command binding on all rational beings.
- Maxim — A general rule or principle underlying an action.
- Universalizability Principle — The idea that an action is moral only if it could be universalized without contradiction.
- Autonomy — The capacity to choose and pursue one's own goals.
- Mere Means — Using someone solely to benefit oneself, disregarding their autonomy.
- End-in-Itself — Recognizing and respecting the humanity and autonomy of others.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Prepare to study utilitarianism, which contrasts with Kantian ethics, in the next lesson.