Explain and Discuss Kant's Categorical Imperative (Essay Sample)

Kant's Categorical Imperative
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Kant's Categorical Imperative
The Immanuel Kant categorical imperative is a way of solving moral problems. According to this theory, there should be interaction between the sense perception and the human understanding. The categorical imperative according to Kant & Abbott (2012) is a set of moral principles. These moral principles prohibit wrongful acts that include theft, fraud and violence among others.
According to Kant & Abbott (2012), the categorical imperative states that it is wrong to act on a principle that cannot be universalized. In this case, if the action is right for one person, then it becomes right for everyone. There are two formulations that make up the categorical imperative that include the universalizability and intrinsic value. According to the universalizability formulation concept, one should act in a way that they would wish someone else to act in their position. The categorical imperative principle states that one should act on the maxim. The maxin refers to the principle of action.
The second formulation is the intrinsic value. The intrinsic value indicates that people have a value of and in them. In this case, individual should be treated with respect and not just like mere beings. When a person treats the other as an object, they treat them for their ends. Kant believes that human beings have absolute value. Kant theory advocates for moral principle. According to Barlow & Kauzlarich (2010), it would be wrong to lie to a murderer of whereabouts of his/her prey. Kant believed that lying is wrong since people have an obligation to tell the truth. It is a general duty of everyone to be truthful. The central question that led to the development of this concept is “what ought I to do?”
Kant’s categorical imperative is contrary to another concept known as hypothetical imperative. The hypothetical imperative has an “if” before it. For example, if you want to be productive, put much work. The categorical imperative concept is unhypothetical since it does not have the “ifs”. Kant believes that people should behave morally without questioning. Barlow & Kauzlarich (2010) states that the categorical imperative commands and it is unconditional.
In the United States, billions of dollars are being spent to curb crime and offer justice to victims (Barlow & Kauzlarich, 2010). The criminal justice indicates that a criminal should be punished. The punishment is justified because it brings good to the society. According to Kant’s concepts, these act that is founded on the utilitarian theory is wrong for two main reasons. Firstly, the theory treats a criminal as objects for the society good. The Kan categorical imperative disagrees with this action. In this case, the Kant categorical imperativ...