Question

Ethics question

1.Explain the Formula of Humanity formulation of the Categorical Imperative (or the Universal Law formulation).

2. Give an example of an action that would be impermissible according to the Categorical Imperative.

3. Give an example of an action that would be permissible according to the Categorical Imperative.

4. Explain in detail why the Categorical Imperative (so understood) would judge those actions as you believe it does.

Answer 1

1. Kant's formulation of the Categorical Imperative is to treat humanity as an end in itself: Act in such a way that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of another, always at the same time as an end and never simply as a means.

2. Suppose your best friend is cheating on this wife. If you lie when his wife asks you if he is cheating on her, you will be committing a morally impermissible act (even though you intend to save the marriage and secure the future of the children).

3. In the same example, if you tell the truth, your act will be morally permissble even thoughi it would lead to the end of the marriage and create risk for the children's future.

4. According to Kant's deontology, the act of lying, for any reason whatsoever, is doubly wrong because:

• Lying corrupts the moral capacity of human
• It prevents others to act rationally and freely, ie lie undermines the dignity of others.