The Universal Law Of Nature - 877 Words

The Formula of the Universal Law (of Nature) is the first formulation of the categorical imperative in Kant’s â€Å"Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals,† in which he proposes to â€Å"act as if the maxim of your action were to become through your will a universal law of nature.† (Kant, 421) For example, telling the truth is considered a universal law. However, many skeptics argue that it is illogical because of human behavior, we as a society are put into dire situations in which lying is necessary to protect life. I will argue that the categorical imperative is an ideal for humanity that has been deeply misunderstood and is valid in relation to the Kingdom of Ends formula. During the Nazi-era, many were subjected to their religious beliefs and citizens were being asked whether or not he or she were a Jew. In a hypothetical response, due to the nature of the question, if you were to say yes, you would then be executed under the law of a harsh dictator. It is obvious to say that, the duty to preserve your own life would be threatened in regards to the murderer asking the question. We can infer that although lying is morally wrong in regards to the categorical imperative, it is not wrong to the murderer who is not conforming to the moral requirements. Therefore, we shall look into the necessary moral requirements for categorical imperative to be a reasonable obligation for us to follow. In addition to the universal law of nature, there are two other principles: the formula ofShow MoreRelatedEssay about Categorical Imperative1517 Words   |  7 Pagesformulations. Among the three formulations, the first formulation of universal law has standout features in the maxim and the constraints about people’s behaviors. With combined analysis of examples, the drawbacks of universal law also appear out. For evaluating and explaining to prove the flaws of the universal law, the specific understanding about the meaning of maxim is essential because it is the core for the universal law. Maxim is the subjective principle and rule of people. People’s actionsRead More Naturalistic Ethic Essay900 Words   |  4 Pagescommon – recognition of Nature as the main guiding force of our lives. Naturalists try to understand Nature and how Nature and humanity are linked together. Adherents of Naturalism try to convince people to shift their attitude toward the need to follow the laws of nature as a principle of moral conduct. There are three major schools of Naturalism. The first school strives for â€Å"returning back to nature† in order to enjoy a simple life and find out the truth by communion with nature, which is consideredRead MoreKant s Categorical Imperative Essay1448 Words   |  6 Pagestruly good thing is a good will. The outcome is always irrelevant. So long as you act with a good will, by applying the categorical imperative, the outcome does not matter. 1 The formula of Universal Law: â€Å"Act only on that maxim through which you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law.† With the first formulation Kant is asking us to perform a though experiment. Imagine a world in which everyone follows your maxim, regardless of circumstances or outcome. You must then askRead MoreEssay on Separating Morality from Law837 Words   |  4 Pages The idea of separating morality from law is problematic. Regardless of anyone’s desire to separate the two, it is impossible. All law is moral or, as the case may be, immoral. The real question of the law is what those morals are. Immanuel Kant seemed unable to define a universal moral, which he indeed tried to define. Kant defined it in three parts. These morals he used to explain the best regime and the duties of citizens within that regime. Even though it seemed challenging for Kant toRead MoreQuestions On Religion Of Science925 Words   |  4 Pagesorganized k nowledge of natural law and its application to life.† 2. Philosophy: â€Å"†¦ the opinions one holds about the world, life, and reality.† 3. Religion: â€Å"†¦ any man’s belief about his relationship to the invisible universe.† â€Å"We might speak of a pure religious science as we would speak of a pure natural science, which means the study of natural causes. We might speak of pure religious science as that branch of science which studies the natural principles; the nature of Mind and Consciousness. ThenRead More Kants Groundworks of the Metaphysic of Morals Essay1656 Words   |  7 Pagesmaxim which he would will to be universal (273); Kant calls that test for morality the Categorical Imperative. Kant believes that the CI can be formulated in several different ways, a. The Formula of Universal Law b. The Formula of the End in Itself c. The Formula of the Kingdom of Ends Kant upheld scientific laws as the model rational principles. A characteristic of scientific laws is that they are universal, such as the law that when heated, gas willRead MoreThe Universal Declaration Of Human Rights1396 Words   |  6 Pages The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, (UNDR) was adopted by the United Nations in 1948 with the intention off providing a moral standard for judging an individual state’s treatment of it’s citizens. Yet to this day a debate rages between scholars such as Jack Donnely and Michael Goodhart as to whether the principles expressed within the UNDR are not only universal but actully culturally relative. When drafting the UNDR, the term â€Å"universal† was meant to show that the declaration â€Å"wasRead MoreKant s Ethical Theory Of Ethics961 Words   |  4 Pagesdeontology theory is based on â€Å"duties, obligations, and rights† (p. 111). The focus of this essay is how Kant uses the ‘Categorical Imperative’ to explain the nature of ethics. Immanuel Kant’s basic moral principle the Categorical Imperative states, â€Å"I should never act except in such a way that I can also will that my maxim should become a universal law† (Giambusso, 2016, para. 2). His theory does not focus on the consequences of actions as the consequences have no part in deontological ethics, but theRead MoreKants Moral Theory and Utilitarism Comparison Essay1166 Words   |  5 Pageswhereas Kant’s moral theory cannot allow slavery. Kant’s moral theory uses the categorical imperative as its basis. The categorical imperative states â€Å"act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law†. (Kant, pg. 30) A maxim is a reason a person commits and act. (Kant, pg. 30) Kant does not believe a person can act merely from duty. He believes that every individual has some ulterior motive for every action, therefore no individual canRead MoreHobbes And Kant s Theory Of Morality1447 Words   |  6 Pagespurely rational principle for ordinary views about unconditional moral value, morality has a universal law that applies to all rational beings at all times. The following paper will identify and explain the key points and sources of difference between Hobbes and Kant. First, I will explain both understandings of morality. Second, I will describe how the account of the foundations of morality differs in human nature, rationality and conceptions of m orality. I will, in conclusion, argue that Hobbes’ account