1. The Categorical imperative
Learning objective:
To understand the difference between a hypothetical and categorical imperative
To begin to examine the three principles of the categorical imperative.
Key Words
Categorical imperative
Hypothetical imperative

2. Recap of previous learning...
What are moral actions according to Kant? Actions done out of good will. An act of good will is done out of duty. A morally good act is not done for any other reason, e.g. Self-interest, personal preference, kindness, generosity or compassion. His theory is deontological.

3. The Categorical Imperative
Kant doesn’t actually say what actions are morally right or wrong. Instead he prescribes how an action can be judged (using our reason) to be morally binding by means of the categorical imperative. The categorical imperative is a way of logically determining what is right and wrong. It tells us what we ought to do.

4. The Categorical Imperative
Adjective:
1.without exceptions or conditions; absolute; unqualified and unconditional: a categorical denial
Imperative
1.absolutely necessary or required; unavoidable: It is imperative that we leave.
2.of the nature of or expressing a command; commanding.

5. A Comparison...
Hypothetical Imperative Doesn’t prescribe or demand any action If you want x, then you must do y. “If I want to lose weight, I ought to go on a diet” “If you want to be respected, tell the truth”
Categorical Imperative An absolute moral obligation/duty You ought to do x Not motivated by need or desire “Tell the truth!”

7. p.99 Michael Palmer
Read from ‘what then’ to ‘imperative of morality’ – highlight the word ‘ought’

8. There are 3 forms of the categorical imperative:
The universal law
“Act only according to that maxim by which you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law”
Treat humans as ends in themselves
“Act so that you treat humanity, both in your own person and in the person of every other human being, never merely as a means, but always at the same time as an end”
Act as if you live in a kingdom of ends
“Act as if you were through your maxim a law-making member of a kingdom of ends”
Maxim = succinct formulation of a fundamental principle, general truth, or rule of conduct
Simply put….a law or principle

9. Universalisability
Can I will that this maxim should become a universal law?
We have to avoid contradictions in law
And contradictions in will
Page
Complete exercise 2

10. Exercise 2 Contradictions in the law of nature
Contradictions in the will
Come first in examinations
Never speak until you are spoken to
Sell all you have and give it to the poor
Jump the queue
Lie when it is convenient to do so
Be different: dye your hair blue
Be polite: let the other person enter first
Defend yourself but never start the fight
Shoot first, argue later
Keep the population down: abstain from sexual relations
Take what you want

11. RECAP...

14. Homework
Read in the Robert Bowie extract on the learning space Complete exercise 4 and 5 from your handout.