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  • Essay / The intentions and consequences of an action - 1104

    I. Kant and the Categorical Imperative: It is generally accepted that society would tear itself apart if people suddenly stopped following a few fundamental laws; such as crimes related to arson, theft and murder. In addition to these basic guidelines, most people tend to follow a simple set of moral "rules." Now, these rules basically involve things like respect, honor, and dignity, since society is not only filled with law-abiding citizens, but also people who want to live good and honest lives. Additionally, most people understand that the Criminal Code is more important than something like simple courtesy, because people are more likely to commit violent crimes when there are no consequences for their actions. However, morality remains a crucial part of a rational person's life since it is essentially a code of conduct that tells them how to act in a given situation. Even though there are different definitions of morality, it is ultimately considered the same thing because it involves doing the right thing at any given time. After all, every decision comes down to the distinction between what people want to do and what they should do, given that most people are willing to tolerate some pain, especially if they believe it will eventually lead to to a certain pleasure. For example, college students will face the stress of exams and essays because they know their degree will help them launch a solid career. In other words, humanity can reasonably survive without a moral code; although it obviously wouldn't be an ideal place to live. Furthermore, it is safe to assume that rational people not only choose to live moral lives, but also make decisions based on thoughts rather than feelings since they are... middle of paper.. .... develop their talents. because they would be more likely to achieve great things (Kant, GMM Sec. 2, p.37). In other words, this example is clearly used to demonstrate part of the first formulation and the imperfect duties a person has towards themselves, given that Kant believes that people simply cannot become good at anything whether without any practice. Finally, Kant's final example of the categorical imperative essentially concerns imperfect duties to others, as it discusses the idea of ​​helping others who are in need (Kant, GMM Sec. 2, p. 37). In fact, Kant argues that society could still exist if people refused to help each other; However, it is not an ideal world to live in since everyone needs friendship, love and sympathy from others. In conclusion, a person can only live a moral life by following the Kantian categorical imperatives..