Categorical imperative is the key concept to Kant’s deontological moral philosophy. By definition, in critical philosophy, the categorical imperative establishes an unconditional and an absolute necessity that that has no exceptions, and it is universally justified. In addition to the above, categorical imperative is vindicated as an end to itself, and not a means to some supplementary end. Apparently, Kant attaches lots of significances to the idiom “categorical imperative the two words that were formulated to make up the concept have implications.
Based on Kant’s notions, human beings are a special part of the creation, derived from the above, morality can be outlined in an imperative from which all obligations and duties stem from. According to Kant, an imperative is a suggestive declaration of a certain action or inaction as essential or rather necessary. In essence, it is a command that compel us as rational beings to act in a particular way. The word categorical was assimilated into the idiom by Kant to establish the fact that, “categorical imperative” is to act in a way to fulfill some obligations and duties. And not necessarily receive some rewards as it is for the hypothetical imperative.
The following are the two major formulations.
"Act only on that maxim through which you can at the same time will that it should become a universally end," (Kant 22).
"Act in such a way that you always treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other, never simply as a means, but always at the same time as an end."(Kant 23).
The above formulations are consistent subsequent to the fact that they both imply and represent a similar concept. In essence, the above formulations were devised to imply that “categorical imperative” endorse the necessity of good actions irrespective of whether you will receive a reward or not. Two statements can arise from a singular ground subsequent to the fact that, a particular position can be explained using two perspectives that particularly imply the same thing.
Thesis statement: Kant’s “categorical imperative” is arguably the basis of universal law formulation.
Works Cited
Kant, Immanuel, and Lara Denis. Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals. Peterborough,
ON: Broadview Press, 2005. Print.
