Kant’s Categorical Imperative

February 15, 2008

Kant’s Categorical Imperative 

The 18^th century philosopher Immanuel Kant considered it absolutely necessary for a person to treat other equally and with respect.  He suggested two principles for examining whether a person has the right to act a certain way in a given situation.  He referred to these principles as consistency and respect.  The principles of consistency and respect are aspects of what Kant called categorical imperative.

 Consistency

Be fair in all our actions.  Asks the question “Would everyone benefit (or would no one be harmed) if everyone were to take the action being considered”.  If not, do not take it.

 Respect

This suggests that we treat people with dignity.  People are ends in themselves, not means.  If we use people as slaves, we deny their humanness and do not show them respect.  Thus, slavery violates the categorical imperatives.

 

I got these one from the lesson that we tackle on our Professional Ethics and Values Education class.  And I really hope that GMA can read this entry.

 

I’ll be posting more of Anti GMA related articles here, coz I feel sorry for our country because of the issue of corruption.  Imagine, the 20% commission on all the Government projects is a SOP.

 

The ZTE Broadband Deal and the Hello Garci scandal.

 

GTFO Gloria Macapagal Arroyo!!