Understanding the Categorical Imperative in Ethics

The Categorical Imperative Is the expression of the moral law and is a criterion for the correction of our actions, a criterion to determine if actions coincide with what we do. The practical principles are general rules that depend on the number of practical rules. The maxim is the principle that is actually the first and inspires my behavior. The imperatives are principles or laws requiring us to act rationally and are divided into assumptions or conditions (acting as a means to an end and conditional orders) and categories (acting as good in itself, and ordered as an end unconditionally). The categorical imperative is the supreme principle of morality. The highest moral value must be universal. The moral imperative states, "You must act because you must." Only those imperatives are moral laws and are valid unconditionally. Kant provides three formulations of the categorical imperative: 1) The first formulation states that a moral action must be universal. 2) The second is the formula of autonomy of the will, emphasizing that the moral law is the result of our rationality. 3) The third formulation states that humanity must be treated as an end and not merely as a means; it has dignity and worth. Responsibility: A) The moral duty is expressed by imperatives. The problem is, what conditions are required for moral laws? They must be a priori: universal and necessary. The only condition is universality. B) The good will can perform the task of pure reason. Kant admits that the only thing good in every one of us is good will. C) The duty arises when we act morally. If the only good is the will, how does it depend on what will be good? When is the will good? When you do what you must (moral rigor) in every act of willing, we can distinguish what and why. Kant classifies actions as follows: - Acts contrary to duty (contrary to the moral law). - Acts in accordance with duty (which may occur for reasons other than duty). A single act is morally good when it meets two conditions: - It conforms to the moral law, according to duty. - It is performed for ethical reasons. An action has moral value when I do what I must and why.