Hypothetical Imperative Kant

Summary

Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) was a German philosopher of the Enlightenment Age. He was an opponent of utilitarianism. Kant’s first major work in ethics is Groundwork for the Metaphysic of Morals was published in 1785.

Morality applies to all rational beings. A moral action is characterized as one that is controlled by reason and not by our emotions. An action is moral if it is reasoned. Thus the moral worth of an action is defined by the motive or reason behind it, and not by its consequences. Morality should be universal as the reasons beind any action is same for all people at all times. A moral action is worthy when we can turn the motives behind it into an universally acceptable maxim. In this manner an action is moral if the maxim

In contrasts, He gives the idea of “hypothetical imperative,” which which is when we act to attain certain ends. The maxim behind a hypothetical imperative might say “do such-and-such if you want to achieve such-and-such result.” According to Kant, moral action has no Ifs. Morality shoulf follow categorical imperative because we must act on a motive simpl because it’s admirable and not because it can brings us certain results in the end.

Universality of moral law applies equally to all people. Acting morally requires that we treat other people as moral agents and as ends in themselves, not as means by which we can get to our own ends. We should likewise guarantee that our activities don't keep other individuals from acting as per moral law. Kant gives an idea of a perfect society called “kingdom of ends,” in which individuals are thw writers of their own laws to follow.

Morality is based on the idea of autonomy or independence. Someone of free or autonomous will does not simply act but is also able decide how to act. This act of deliberation distinguishes autonomous will and heteronomous will. We should act according to laws we ourselves dictate, and not according to emotions or impulse. We can act on autonomous will even if acting on universal moral laws or maxims because those laws are decided upon rational