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The Categorical Imperative and the Humanity Formulation
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The Categorical Imperative and the Humanity Formulation exam question
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Charlotte LoganThe Categorical Imperative and the Humanity Formulation
Explain what is meant by the Categorical Imperative. (5 Marks)
The Categorical Imperative is to act only on that maxim through which you can at the same
time will that it should become a universal law. This was founded by Immanuel Kant. An
example of a rule that fits with the categorical imperative is “do not steal” as it can be
universalised, and we can imagine a world where no one steals. A rule should only be put in
place if it can realistically be universalised and fit to everyone’s life.
Explain what is meant by the Humanity Formulation. (5 Marks)
The Human Formulation is a version of the categorical imperative which states act in 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 not always at the same time as an ends.
Explain Kant’s test of contradiction of concept and contradiction of will.
The Categorical Imperative is to act only on that maxim through which you can at the same
time will that it should become a universal law. We must go through tests (contradiction of
concept and of will) in order to see if something coincides with the Categorical Imperative.
Contradiction in conception is the test whether we can will a maxim to become a universal
law can be failed. If it fails, it becomes self-contradictory for everyone to act on that maxim.
It would be impossible for everyone to do it so does not fit with the universality. For
example, if everyone stole, property and ownership would have no meaning or value so
society would fail. This highlights how we have a perfect duty not to steal.
The second test is contradiction in will. This is a test for whether we can will a maxim to
become a universal law can be failed if, although the maxim is not self-contradictory, we
cannot rationally will it. For instance, a maxim never to help others, when universalised
would result in a world where no one would want to help me. As I will eventually require
help, it would be a contradiction not to help others. This shows how we have an imperfect
duty to help others. We have a choice whether to fulfil these and if we do it would
subsequently lead to praise.
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