Kantian Ethics: Duty, Reason, and the Categorical Imperative

Kantian Ethics: What Should I Do?

Kant aimed to create an ethic of universal validity, applicable to all people at all times, and autonomous, independent of external factors like religion. He criticized previous ethical systems as being material and teleological, focused on achieving specific ends like happiness or salvation. Kant proposed a formal ethic, emphasizing the form or mode of action rather than the outcome.

The will, the power of man involved in the action, is central to Kant's ethics. Only the will or intention behind an action can be judged. While only the individual knows their own intention (autonomy), an action done out of duty must be applicable universally. The guiding principle for actions and intentions is the categorical imperative:

Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law.

In other words, act as a model for humanity. Another formulation of the categorical imperative is:

Act in such a way that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other, never merely as a means to an end, but always at the same time as an end.

This means never taking advantage of anyone in your actions.

For ethics to be possible, Kant argued for three postulates:

• Freedom: Without freedom, there is no good or bad intent.
• Immortality of the Soul: Without it, the moral order is meaningless.
• Existence of God: God guarantees the moral order.

Kant argued that what he could not discover (God, Soul) with pure theoretical reason, he had to admit with pure practical reason.

Religion: What Can I Expect?

In this life, be as happy as possible with other men. Religion clarifies this goal.

Anthropology: What is Man?

Kant viewed man as a fascinating being, capable of thinking, reasoning, and reflecting on his own actions and feelings. Man's reason allows him to contemplate the vastness of the universe and delve into his own inner world. Kant's conception of man as dignified and free is central to his philosophy. The idea that no one should be neglected, exploited, or taken advantage of because we are all worthy subjects may seem trivial today, but it was a revolutionary concept in his time. Man is also happy with other men in the state to protect and safeguard her rights.