Kant’s moral absolutism is an ethical view that actions are either right or wrong based on categorical imperative. In this case, the moral or lack of it is on the act itself other than the consequences. Kant views are opposed to consequentialism and teleological approaches in ethics. Kant uses the ability of humans to act rationally to develop his arguments. A rational human being is able to control one’s desires or impulses and hence, is able to act out of the principle and moral duties. The question arises whether there is such absolutism. Are there actions that are definitely right or wrong?
As such, the virtue remains the truth. The person lying does so with full knowledge of the fact that it is wrong. Respect is a virtue and according to Kant, one is not supposed to use others as a means to an end. Kant also opines that all actions ought to lead to universal laws. Any action that does not lead to universal law is immoral. It is thus imperative that the actions that one chooses ought to lead to the formulation of universal law. If every person abides by the rule of universalism, absolute actions define themselves clearly and as such everyone is able to follow them. For example, suppose one is in a queue and a person comes and cuts the line. Such a situation leads to the ultimate question; “suppose every person cuts the line?” shall there be order? Definitely no. the person did not use universal law and hence the action is immoral.
Is suicide, using categorical imperative right or wrong?
If a human being is frustrated by live to the extent of contemplating suicide, the person does not lose the ability to think and act rationally. The question arises whether in this perspective the act, suicide, is rational and in the line of duty of the person. One is obligated to love one-self and ought not to destroy life, whether the life belongs to the person or not. In particular, humans are ends but not means. Therefore, one ought to treat all humans including oneself as an end, but not a means to an end. It is thus wrong to torture anyone for whatever reason. Torturing humans is wrong. Therefore, suicide does not lead to a universal laws and contradict the self-duty of protecting one’s life. Therefore, suicide is wrong.
Reference
Robert Johnson (2008). Kant's Moral Philosophy. Retrieved on October 4, 2014 from http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/kant-moral/
