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Single Idea 8027

[filed under theme 23. Ethics / D. Deontological Ethics / 4. Categorical Imperative ]

Full Idea

If we enquire whether I can consistently universalize the maxim 'I may break my promises only when.....', the gap can be filled by a description devised so that it will apply to my present circumstances, but to very few others.

Gist of Idea

I can universalize a selfish maxim, if it is expressed in a way that only applies to me

Source

comment on Immanuel Kant (Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals [1785]) by Alasdair MacIntyre - A Short History of Ethics Ch.14

Book Ref

MacIntyre,Alasdair: 'A Short History of Ethics' [Routledge 1967], p.198

A Reaction

Another good objection to Kant. There is just a huge problem with how you state the maxim under discussion. One man's 'terrorist' is another man's 'freedom fighter'. 'Do everything possible to implement the will of God'.

The 27 ideas with the same theme [seeing a universal rule as an inescapable duty]:

4413 The categorical imperative smells of cruelty [Nietzsche on Kant]
3762 Why couldn't all rational beings accept outrageously immoral rules of conduct? [Mill 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]
8027 I can universalize a selfish maxim, if it is expressed in a way that only applies to me [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]