PHI 2010 Chapter Notes - Chapter 0: Immanuel Kant, Universalizability, Universal Law
Document Summary
Most of the time, whether or not we ought to do something isn"t really a moral choice instead, it"s just contingent on our desires. Ex: if your desire is to get an a in class, then you ought to study. They are commands that you should follow if you want something. Commands you must follow, regardless of your desires. It doesn"t matter whether you want to be moral or not the moral law is binding on all of us. Kant argued that there are four formulations of the categorical imperative. Stealing isn"t universalizable: you can"t make exceptions for yourself. We are not mere objects that exist to be used by others. We have the ability to set our own goals, and work toward them. This imbues us with an absolute moral worth, which means that we shouldn"t be manipulated, or manipulate other autonomous agents for our own benefit. : lying and deception is never okay.
