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Single Idea 22008
[filed under theme 23. Ethics / D. Deontological Ethics / 4. Categorical Imperative
]
Full Idea
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.
Gist of Idea
Always treat yourself and others as an end, and never simply as a means
Source
Immanuel Kant (Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals [1785], AA429 p.96), quoted by Terry Pinkard - German Philosophy 1760-1860 02
Book Ref
Pinkard,Terry: 'German Philosophy 1760-1860' [CUP 2002], p.53
A Reaction
This sets up the Kingdom of Ends. Note that this does not prohibit using people as a means. It just asks you to respect waiters and shop assistants. It seems to say you should not treat 'your own person' merely as a means. Prostitution?
The
27 ideas
with the same theme
[seeing a universal rule as an inescapable duty]:
8027
|
I can universalize a selfish maxim, if it is expressed in a way that only applies to me
[MacIntyre on Kant]
|
3762
|
Why couldn't all rational beings accept outrageously immoral rules of conduct?
[Mill on Kant]
|
4413
|
The categorical imperative smells of cruelty
[Nietzsche on Kant]
|
15673
|
The intuition behind the categorical imperative is that one ought not to make an exception of oneself
[Kant, by Finlayson]
|
8068
|
Universalising a maxim needs to first stipulate the right description for the action
[Anscombe on Kant]
|
8025
|
The categorical imperative will not suggest maxims suitable for testing
[MacIntyre on Kant]
|
3716
|
Act according to a maxim you can will as a universal law
[Kant]
|
3719
|
If lying were the universal law it would make promises impossible
[Kant]
|
3727
|
Act as if your maxim were to become a universal law of nature
[Kant]
|
3728
|
Suicide, false promises, neglected talent, and lack of charity all involve contradictions of principle
[Kant, by PG]
|
22008
|
Always treat yourself and others as an end, and never simply as a means
[Kant]
|
22009
|
Morality is the creation of the laws that enable a Kingdom of Ends
[Kant]
|
22051
|
The categorical imperative lacks roots in a historical culture
[Hegel, by Bowie]
|
22771
|
Be a person, and respect other persons
[Hegel]
|
22781
|
The categorical imperative is fine if you already have a set of moral principles
[Hegel]
|
2859
|
The idea of the categorical imperative is just that we should all be very obedient
[Nietzsche]
|
2934
|
To see one's own judgement as a universal law is selfish
[Nietzsche]
|
4507
|
The categorical imperative needs either God behind it, or a metaphysic of the unity of reason
[Nietzsche]
|
21745
|
Act so as to produce harmonious rather than discordant desires
[Russell]
|
5914
|
An act may be described in innumerable ways
[Ross]
|
6449
|
The categorical imperative leads to utilitarianism
[Hare, by Nagel]
|
22389
|
Morality no more consists of categorical imperatives than etiquette does
[Foot]
|
22395
|
Moral judgements are hypothetical, because they depend on interests and desires
[Foot]
|
4004
|
Consistency presupposes intrinsic description
[Taylor,C]
|
6477
|
I can only universalise a maxim if everyone else could also universalise it
[Nagel]
|
6693
|
'What if everybody did that?' rather misses the point as an objection to cheating
[Graham]
|
3895
|
The categorical imperative is not just individual, but can be used for negotiations between strangers
[Scruton]
|