Kant and Morality
A Topic of Titanic Significance
Immanuel Kant was a Prussian philosopher who argued that rational beings were naturally programmed for morality. He believed that morality was a set of self imposed rules, which were linked to our minds like a fish is to water. Oliver Thorn, the host of the YouTube channel Philosophy Tube, compared Kant’s idea to “if an object has mass then gravity will pull on it.” Thus, according to Kant if a being is rational then morality will act upon it. Kant further elaborated this by introducing the concept of the Categorical Imperatives, simply put, orders which a rational mind must obey categorically at all times.
There are three laws or understanding of the Categorical Imperatives. Formula of Universal Law, Formula of the End in itself, and Formula of Autonomy.
The first, Formula of Universal Law, is best explained in five steps.
- Find the agent’s maxim, in this example Joe wants to steal money to buy his favorite candy. His maxim is stealing for self benefit.
- Imagine a world where everyone in the same situation as the agent followed the agent’s maxim. Thus, Joe will imagine a world where everyone in his situation stole money to buy their favorite candy.
- Does the maxim cause irrational problems or contradictions to rise. Joe will realize that if everyone stole money to buy their favorite candy then mistrust will rise, a contradiction with the laws and societal expectations of not stealing will arise, and a serious determent will occur in society as law, order, and trust breaks down.
- If there is an irrational problem or contradiction, then the maxim is not allowed. Joe will realize that stealing money to buy his favorite candy is wrong.
- However, if there is no irrational problem or contradiction then the maxim is allowed. If Joe’s maxim was to get a job to earn money and then use the money to buy candy, then it would be allowed because it does not have any irrational problems or contradictions.
The second, Formula of the End in itself, states, “[a]ct with reference to every rational being (whether yourself or another) so that it is an end in itself in your maxim.” Kant is explaining that every ration being has their own goals, and motives. Thus, a rational being cannot use another rational being as if it were a tool, instead it must be treated as an end within itself. For example, Joe’s maxim is to steel money from Bob. Joe understands that Bob is a rational being, with his own goals and motives. Joe cannot treat Bob like a tool or source to steel money from, because Bob is a rational being. Thus, Joe must treat Bob like a “person.” Therefore, Joe’s maxim of steeling money from Bob is morally wrong.
The third, Formula of Autonomy, “that all maxims which stem from autonomous legislation ought to harmonize with a possible realm of ends as with a realm of nature.” Kant is explaining that all maxims must serve as universal laws for all rational beings, and if they fail to do so then they are not allowed. Therefore, if Joe wants to steel from Bob — who is a rational being. Then Bob can also steel from Joe, and every rational being can steel from every other ration being. This steeling will create a multitude of highly detrimental problems; thus, Joe’s maxim of steeling from Bob fails to serve as an Universal Law and is not allowed.
The question of morality has been asked for as long as rational being have existed. It is in our very nature, since morality is the gravity which keeps society from devolving into chaos. Thus, Kant provides a window of understanding morality. His work has never been more important than now as humanity takes cavemen steps into the new Age of Information, where many times morality has dissolved and a trailer of utter chaos has been either witnessed or participated in by all.
