Kant Deontological Theory Essay

Words: 1659
Pages: 7

Student Name: Veronica Ryan
Student No: 20120035
Assignment: Kant
Lecturer: Prof: Wamsley
Due Date: 23 August 2013
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Emmanuel Kant was an influential German Philosopher. He was born in Konigsberg in Prussia to Protestant parents he lived from 1724 to 1804.
Kant observed the world around him and observed that that every culture religion and society has moral law whether they are obeyed or not.
The Formula of Universal Law- Act only in accordance with that maxim through which you can at the same time will that it become a universal law.

The Formula of Humanity- Act so that you use humanity, whether in your own person or that of another, always at the same
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The Categorical Imperative
Kant designed the Categorical imperative as a framework used to make moral law, which states that one must do what one expects other to do in a similar situation.
The Categorical Imperative is the central concept in Kant’s ethics and the groundwork to Metaphysics of Morals. It is based to the “supreme principle of morality” (4:392), from which all our moral duties come from.
He believed that moral requirements were based on a standard of rationality and he named this the Categorical Imperative.
By using the Universal Imperatives we use our reason (as long as it is not corrupted) to guide us in a path which is morally virtuous. He states that we should act according to the maxim by which you can at the same time will that it becomes a universal law.
Kant uses the example of a person who lends money and is unable to repay the loan. He states that this cannot be a universal law people will no longer believe each other and no person will lend money to another.
This can be explained in three ways
The Universal Law means that one should act on an action which can be sustained.
It is important that we should consider if an action is right or wrong. This action will eliminate selfish action towards other human beings.
Imperfect Duties
Imperfect duties to seek the happiness of other people this cannot completed always.
The