ETHC 445N Week 5 Discussion & Responses; Kant s Ethics and Our Duty (Option One)

Introduction Kant's famous First Formulation of the Categorical Imperative reads, "Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law." Kant taught morality as a matter of following maxims of living that reflect absolute laws. "Universal" is a term that allows for no exceptions, and what is universal applies always and everywhere. Don't forget about the second formulation of the categorical imperative which states, "Act in such a way that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of another, always at the same time as an end and never simply as a means." It is just as important. Initial Post Instructions For the initial post, address the following set of question: What are the personal and/or communal ethical factors that may be involved in determining the moral position of either side given a contemporary debate, such as those concerning animal rights, stem cell research, abortion, the death penalty, and so forth?