Kant and the categorical imperative

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KANT & THE CATEGORICAL IMPERATIVE: MODEL ESSAY 1

(a)        “Duty should be done, simply because it is duty.”

Explain how Kant analysed this concept. (33 marks)

(b)        “Categorical Imperatives allow no room for compassion in the treatment of women wanting abortions.” Discuss. (17 marks)

                

(Part A):        Kant tried to develop a theory of ethics which relied on reason rather than emotion. While he was not anti-religious, he wanted an ethical system which was not clouded by religion, emotion or personal interpretation. He placed emphasis on motives behind an action rather than, like the Utilitarians, the consequences of an action. He believed that consequences were no guide to whether an action was moral or not. His theory is known as deontological, or duty-based, where ends can never justify the means. He believed that there were general rules which must be adhered to in every circumstance. He called these absolute rules of what is good or bad ‘Categorical imperatives’. These rules were rationally determinable.

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        Individuals must never be reduced to the level that they are a convenience for the happiness of someone else. So in the case of euthanasia, a person’s inconvenience in having to look after a terminally ill relative is no good reason for that relative’s life being ended early. He believed in self-rule and not in people being used as a means to an end. People must be seen as ‘ends-in-themselves’, and it was part of everyone’s duty to abide by this principle.

        Kant believed that categorical imperatives could be worked out by deciding whether the rule could become ...

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