Make some comments and opinions on that: The Categorical Imperative, according t

Question

Make some comments and opinions on that:

The Categorical Imperative, according to Kant, states that "we ought to act only according to that maxim by which you can at the same time will it to be a universal law of nature." He also talks about how moral actions should be logically consistent and universal. I disagree with this in that there can be situational instances that may encourage people to break these rules. Although it makes sense that people should have a civic duty to keep things in order, I do not believe they have to take responsibility for a strangers life over the life of a loved one, just to follow a maxim. I feel as if someone were to save a loved one in a dangerous situation over a stranger, they should not feel like they failed to meet an obligation. This also goes with other rule following.  Kant may argue that lying is wrong, but if lying to protect someone's life is what one has to do then it should not be seen as immoral. Another example would be killing and intruder to protect a family member. Even though Kant says killing is wrong, I do not find it wrong to prioritize the life of family over someone else's. I do not think I would be able to apply this perspective to my own life because of my strong connection to all of my family and loved ones

Explanation / Answer

Kant expressed extreme dissatisfaction with the popular moral philo sophy of his day, believing that it could never surpass the level of hypothetical imperatives.

Act only according to that Maxim whereby you can at the same tine will that it should become a universal law., It closely connected with this formulation is the law of nature formulation because laws of nature are by definition universal, Kant claims we may also express the categorical imperative as: Act as if Maxim's of your action were to become through your will a Universal law of nature.

Kant divides the duties imposed by this formulation into 2 sets of of subsets. The first division is between duties we have to ourselves versus duties we have for others. Eg we have an obligation not to kill ourselves as well as an obligation not kill others. Kant also introduced a distinction between perfect and imperfect duties.

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