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23. Ethics / D. Deontological Ethics / 4. Categorical Imperative

[seeing a universal rule as an inescapable duty]

27 ideas
The categorical imperative smells of cruelty [Nietzsche on Kant]
The intuition behind the categorical imperative is that one ought not to make an exception of oneself [Kant, by Finlayson]
Universalising a maxim needs to first stipulate the right description for the action [Anscombe on Kant]
The categorical imperative will not suggest maxims suitable for testing [MacIntyre on Kant]
Why couldn't all rational beings accept outrageously immoral rules of conduct? [Mill on Kant]
I can universalize a selfish maxim, if it is expressed in a way that only applies to me [MacIntyre on Kant]
Act according to a maxim you can will as a universal law [Kant]
If lying were the universal law it would make promises impossible [Kant]
Act as if your maxim were to become a universal law of nature [Kant]
Suicide, false promises, neglected talent, and lack of charity all involve contradictions of principle [Kant, by PG]
Always treat yourself and others as an end, and never simply as a means [Kant]
Morality is the creation of the laws that enable a Kingdom of Ends [Kant]
The categorical imperative lacks roots in a historical culture [Hegel, by Bowie]
Be a person, and respect other persons [Hegel]
The categorical imperative is fine if you already have a set of moral principles [Hegel]
The idea of the categorical imperative is just that we should all be very obedient [Nietzsche]
To see one's own judgement as a universal law is selfish [Nietzsche]
The categorical imperative needs either God behind it, or a metaphysic of the unity of reason [Nietzsche]
Act so as to produce harmonious rather than discordant desires [Russell]
An act may be described in innumerable ways [Ross]
The categorical imperative leads to utilitarianism [Hare, by Nagel]
Morality no more consists of categorical imperatives than etiquette does [Foot]
Moral judgements are hypothetical, because they depend on interests and desires [Foot]
Consistency presupposes intrinsic description [Taylor,C]
I can only universalise a maxim if everyone else could also universalise it [Nagel]
'What if everybody did that?' rather misses the point as an objection to cheating [Graham]
The categorical imperative is not just individual, but can be used for negotiations between strangers [Scruton]