Categorical Imperative

Morals and ethics have always been questioned, analyzed, and studied by many scholars and philosophers since ancient days. But the terms themselves are so subjective that no one can completely define them to their optimum. There always remains a scope for debate and doubt as people have different opinions and understandings about morals and ethics. There are many theories put forward by different scholars but, one of the noted philosopher, Immanuel Kant from Germany made a tremendous contribution to the philosophy of morals. His most prominent works are, Critique of Practical Reason and Groundworks of Metaphysics of Morals, are primarily based on the structure of reason and way of evaluating motivations for actions. Categorical imperative was the central point of his theories.

What is Categorical Imperative?

Kant's theory of ethics and morals is also known to be deontological, which means that it is concerned with the morality of duty. This theory concentrates more on the morality of actions without too much emphasis on the consequences of an action. According to his theory, human beings can experience the innate moral duty in the form of emotions such as guilt and shame. He believed that morality is a reason or imperative from which all the duties and obligations originate. He said that imperative is nothing but a proposition that declares a certain action to be necessary. According to him, morality has to be unconditional.

Kant formulated categorical imperative in three formulations, namely, universal law formulation, humanity or end in itself formulation which says, and kingdom of ends formulation. In universal law formulation he says, "Act only according to the maxim by which you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law." Humanity or end in itself formulation says, "Act in such a way that you always treat humanity, whether in your person or in the person of any other, never simply as means, but always at same time as an end." And in kingdom of ends formulation he says, "All maxims as proceeding from our own making of law ought to harmonize with a possible kingdom of ends." Based on above formulations, categorical imperative definition is: " Categorical imperative is an absolute, unconditional requirement that allows no exceptions, and is both required and justified as an end in itself,." It means that categorical imperative is when a person follows his morals and duties selflessly without hoping for any merit.

Examples

Let us take some examples that would help you understand the concept better. Kant said, that to act morally is to perform one's duty and one's duty is to obey the innate moral laws. He contradicted categorical imperative with hypothetical imperative, which are conditional. For example, if one wants to be knowledgeable, one must read, or, I shall do X to get Y, etc. Such imperatives or reasons are not considered moral according to Kant's theory. He said that imperatives are categorical only when they are not associated with any desires, needs, or wants of a person and they should be universally applicable. For example, let's take 'abusing women' as a statement of moral question. So going by the first formulation the maxim could be that, 'it is good to abuse women'. Now, one has to decide if this rule is applicable for everyone. To decide that one must think, 'would it be good for everyone to abuse women?'. The answer would be 'no' by the majority. And hence this act is immoral.

From the above examples, it is quite easy to understand what is categorical imperative but this concept has its own drawbacks. For example, if the moral duty has to be universal and obligated then sacrificing few people for the benefit of majority is also immoral as per his theory. But it is not practical or feasible in every situation. Other philosophers criticize this approach saying that punishing an innocent for the benefit of majority is necessary at times and hence morals cannot be universalized every time.

I will leave you with a quote by Ernest Hemingway, as I can relate and could agree with this quote. It says, "I know only that what is moral is what you feel good after and what is immoral is what you feel bad after."