Question

Where is the moral worth of an action found according to Kant? What is a maxim? What is the difference between a categorical Imperative and a hypothetical imperative of reason? Explain the meaning of Kant’s two versions of the categorical imperative. How do we use each of these principles to decide if a choice we are considering is moral or not?

Answer 1

1. According to Kant, the moral worth of an action lies in its conformity to the moral law.

2. A maxim is a brief and concise expression of a fundamental moral rule or principle,

3. Hypothetical imperatives pertain to specific circumstances and guide an individual’s actions in order to achieve a particular goal. On the other hand, inform individuals what to do irrespective of their desires. Morality, according to Kant, is made up of categorical imperatives.

4. Kant gives two forms of the categorical imperative:

• Behave in such a way that allows a reasonable generalization of one’s action to a universal rule.
• Always treat others as ends and not means.

Please post the other questions separately as we are supposed to answer just one question or four sub parts of a question.