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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Surname1 Student Name Instructor's the Course Number Submission Date 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
Surname2 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
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