Running head: FORMULATIONS OF THE CATEGORICAL IMPERATIVE 1

Formulations of the Categorical Imperative

Caroline Oberle

Stratford University

January 24, 2020

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Three Formulations of the Categorical Imperative

Categorical Imperative (CI) is an unconditional principle and an objective that is

rationally necessary and must be followed without considerations of available alternatives or

natural desires that an individual may have. Kant argued that categorical imperative is a standard

of rationality that is a supreme principle of morality (Johnson & Cureton, 2016). According to

Kantian ethics, certain actions such as robbery, murder, and deceit are prohibited even in

circumstances when such actions cause more contentment than the alternate. In his theory, Kant

encourages people to ask questions that fall under the three formulations of categorical

imperative – the formulation of nature, humanity, and autonomy – before taking any action

(Robinson, 2019, p. 29). Moral requirements are vindicated by the categorical imperative, which

is the reason why unethical actions are considered unreasonable since they disrupt the principle

of categorical imperative.

Formulation of Universal Law

According to Kant’s first formulation, one should act in alignment with a maxim that

they are willing to get interpreted as a universal law (Jankowiak, n.d.). For instance, after

formulating the maxim, "I will lie to achieve my objective," one must recast their maxim as a

collective law of nature that rules all rational beings. Holding all circumstances constant - a

requirement by natural law – one must act as they intend to act in such circumstances (White,

2011, p. 49). One must then make a consideration as to whether such a maxim is plausible in a

place that is ruled by the law of nature. For instance, before lying, one should consider whether

they can agree rationally that everyone behaves as they intend/propose to act. If the maxim is

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conceivable, one should then ask whether they could act rationally on their maxim in such a

place that is governed by nature. If one could act in such circumstances, then the action is

morally permissible; otherwise, it is immoral in that it violates the categorical imperative, and

one must refrain from acting on such a maxim.

Formulation of Humanity

This principle explains that one must never behave in a manner as to treat humankind –

both in self and in others – as a means to an end but rather as an end in itself. After formulating

the idea of deceit, one must introduce the idea of respect for humans to avoid treating people as

instruments without any value beyond their acts. Although humans are a means to an end,

Immanuel explains that they should not be viewed as mere means to one’s objectives (Lindner &

Bentzen, 2018). If an individual desires perfection in others and in themselves, it is their moral

duty to identify that end equally for all people, as long as the end does not affect or contract what

is considered perfect. In this case, deceit in order to achieve the end means contradicts the perfect

and violates the CI.

Formulation of Autonomy

Through this formula of the CI, Kant explains that one should act through their maxims

as legislators of the universal laws. Before acting on the maxim of deceit to achieve personal

objectives, one must focus their status as “givers” of the global law rather than mere “followers”

of the law (White, 2011, p. 47). According to this principle, humans should conform their actions

to the principles and values that showcase their self-sufficiency of the rational will. According to

Johnson and Cureton (2016), human beings must act according to the autonomy formula; people

are rational agents and source of authority, worth, and dignity behind the moral laws.

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Bibliography

Jankowiak, T. (n.d.). Immanuel Kant. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. ISSN 2161-0002.

Retrieved from https://www.iep.utm.edu/kantview/, 1. 14. 2020

The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy was adopted as a source of information for the

provided topic in that it enabled the researcher to access detailed peer-reviewed information from

experienced philosophers. Information on Immanuel Kant and his works has been provided in an

in-depth and easy to understand manner. Chapter 5 provides information on categorical

imperative with various insights on the three formulations of CI. This site is a reliable source of

information in the provided topic considering the fact that the authors are verified specialists in

different areas of their qualifications. This source has also provided a list of references to

encourage further reading and research.

Johnson, R., & Cureton, A., (2016). Kant's moral philosophy, Stanford Encyclopedia of

Philosophy. Retrieved from https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/spr2019/entries/kant-

moral/>.

Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy is a reliable resource in that it provides an in-depth

explanation of Kantian's categorical imperative. This source contains the contributions of various

scholars from different parts of the world in philosophy, among other related concepts. The

booklet has touched on formulas of the categorical imperative, among other subtopics related to

Kant's moral philosophy. It was provided insights on the application of the formulations of

categorical imperative and their significance. This source has provided credible and reliable

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sources, including electronic sources and academic tools adopted in research, an aspect that

makes it a worthwhile source of information on the subject topic.

Lindner, F., & Bentzen, M. M. (2018). A formalization of Kant's second formulation of the

categorical imperative. arXiv preprint arXiv:1801.03160.

Linder and Bentzen have provided an analysis of Kant's second formulation of the

categorical imperative. According to the authors, this principle requires fair treatment of humans

while avoiding the treatment of people as mere means to an end but as an end in themselves. The

book interprets the principle relating to how people often get affected by the actions of others.

The authors introduce Kantian agency models, where goals, actions, and causal influence are

well represented. The source is considered as satisfactory in how well one can formalize various

readings of the categorical imperative that correspond to the concept of wide and strict duties

towards others and self. This source provides additional information about the failures of the

formulation when applied in particular situations.

Robinson, R. M. (2019). Kant’s categorical imperative and moral duties. In Imperfect Duties of

Management (pp. 11-38). Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-

319-99792-6_2

Robinson has undertaken an in-depth analysis of Kant's moral duties and categorical

imperatives. The author explains that Kant provided the categorical imperative as the foundation

for processes that reflect upon common thinking for methods that derive practical duties and

moral maxims. This has explained the importance of reflective thoughts in the establishment and

maintenance of maxims. The relevance of observing Kant’s CI has been shown in the firm’s

efficiency and managerial leadership. This resource was considered reliable in that it has

explained the relevance of categorical imperatives in management.

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White, M. (2011). Kantian ethics and economics: Autonomy, dignity, and character. Redwood

City, CA, USA: Stanford University Press, 2011.

White provides an interesting analysis of Kantian Ethics and moral philosophy. He has

explained the concepts of character, dignity, and autonomy, as well as the importance of

integrating various types of intellectual thoughts. According to the author, typical economic

models often fail to identify the significance of ethics in decision making while denying the true

choice that is dependent on principles and decision-making principles. White has revealed how

integrating Kantian ethics can affect the principle of economics positively.