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Hypothetical and Categorical Imperatives in Kant's Moral Philosophy

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Added on  2023-05-31

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This paper discusses Kant's moral philosophy and the difference between hypothetical and categorical imperatives. It argues that Kant has no way of defining how an action can be morally evaluated.

Hypothetical and Categorical Imperatives in Kant's Moral Philosophy

   Added on 2023-05-31

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hypothetical and categorical imperatives
Immanuel Kant’s moral philosophy is based on the nature of duty and obligation that
relies on moral commitment. He argued that the rational order one looks for in the world cannot
be discovered through experience or reasoning. His revolutionary views investigate the question
as to how does pure reasoning contribute contribution to our knowledge and govern our actions.
Kant categorized moral necessities as hypothetical and categorical imperatives, where the
hypothetical imperatives direct one towards a particular goal based on the desires while
categorical imperatives tell them what to irrespective of their desires. The paper argues that Kant
has no way of defining how an action can be morally evaluated. While the hypothetical cannot
be known in advance, the categorical imperatives are not free of exceptions because of individual
morality.
Difference between hypothetical and categorical imperatives
Kant (25) holds that categorical imperatives are valid for every rational being as it
interconnects with moral duty or moral reasoning also referred to as a commandment. The
categorical imperative tells us what we ought to do irrespective of our goals and reasoning and
irrespective of the outcome. As Hypothetical imperatives are based on individual goals and
objectives, they can vary with different individuals (Kant 27). Hence, they are not universal as
the categorical imperatives. According to Kant, a categorical imperative is a universal law that is
lawful and rationale for every being. The question arises as to what conditions must be there to
Hypothetical and Categorical Imperatives in Kant's Moral Philosophy_1
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meet the categorical or universal. Morality may or may not connected to a rational agency. The
hypothetical imperatives can be understood without categorical imperatives, and the connection
to morality is only revealed based on our freedom.
Which imperative can be known in advance
The, hypothetical imperative cannot be known in advance while categorical imperative
can be known because of the moral command. Kant holds that the categorical imperatives based
on practical regulations will control our actions based on how we accept or defy them. Kant
connects rationality with morality, and this can be problematic for some philosophers. The moral
necessities are not categorical as they rely on moral motivations. According to Kant, the
categorical imperative is a universal law that can be comprehended as a rational procedure. The
important question is what conditions must exist or be imperative to meet the universal or
categorical. Some actions can be obligatory and some which are objectively necessary and do not
rely on the individual’s contingent desires. Given this condition, an individual may still not have
a wish to follow if the moral necessities fail to meet the individual’s wishes. Many philosophers
contend that moral necessities do not meet the conditions of categorical imperative as they are
not free of desires. The categorical imperative due to its unconditional command brings with it a
necessity to follow the universality of a law. The maxim of the actions here become a universal
law. However, at times it is impossible to will the maxim to reach the level of the universality of
a law. The special characteristic of human nature and the practical necessity of action creates a
law for all human wills. Human reasoning is influenced by certain feelings and tendencies. Kant
holds that the categorical imperatives based on practical regulations will control our actions
based on how we accept or defy them. There is a further supposition as morality is an illusion in
this world, the categorical imperatives do not exist. It is the consciousness of the moral law that
Hypothetical and Categorical Imperatives in Kant's Moral Philosophy_2

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