In the past week, we have discussed in detail Kant's formulations of the categorical imperative. I agree we should all act in a way the abides by these three formulations.
First formulation: we should act only in such a way that you can can will the maxim of your actions as a universal law. This simply means that we should act in a way that we could rationally compel anyone else to act. We should make our actions an example for everyone else to follow.
Second formulation: act only in such a way that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or another, never nearly as a means but always as an end-in-itself. I completely agree with this formulation. Kant believes to be a part of humanity means you are rational, free, and autonomous. Anyone displaying these characteristics should be treated like part of humanity.
Third formulation: act in accordance with the maxims of a member giving universal laws for a merely possible kingdom of ends. By a kingdom of ends, Kant means if everyone were free, autonomous, and rational in a way everyone would be their own king. Simply, imagine a perfect world, make your actions resemble the actions of the perfect moral agent making the laws.
I completely agree with your explanations of Kants Categorical Imperative. I, too, believe that people should behave based on these three formulations. By following these three formulations, there would be more peace among the people and the world would be a better place to live in.
ReplyDeleteI think it is incredibly interesting that in essence, these three formulations meant the same thing. I will not lie, and say I understood how that was possible the first time we discussed it in class. These formulations are ones that have definitely stuck with me, and that I have thought about more than just the fifty minutes of class three times a week. If we could live in a world to where people could more easily govern themselves, because there is less fear of others actions, to me would almost be Utopian. If everyone was the true king in their merely possible kingdom of ends, and acted in the most moral way they possibly can, I have no doubt the world would run more smoothly. Unfortunately, that is just idealistic of me to wish, but through incorporating some of this philosophy in people's everyday life, in the end their would be major changes.
ReplyDelete