Question

What is the categorical imperative? Explain one way this might be relevant to the ethics of love and sex. Is it actually morally decisive in this case (does it determine what is right or wrong)?

Answer 1

Duty ethics suggests that an act would be considered ethical if it fulfils its duty and from here Kant derived at his categorical imperative which brought three major components that is absolute for all the moral agents to follow without any violation. The first categorical imperative is act to one’s maxim which would mean that when it comes to love and sex one should set an exemplary love and sex life which others would follow or which would become a universal law. When someone just engages in love and sex for their own pleasure without making it ideal it’s wrong. Second imperative is not to use people as a means to one’s end but end in themselves. This would mean that one shouldn’t use another to derive sexual pleasures and emotional support without really loving them or use them as a tool for their sexual satisfaction. Finally, respecting people’s autonomy which would mean it should be consensual and should come out of agreement rather than forced. Thus, people have their autonomy that should be always respected while making moral decisions concerning them.

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