The categorical imperative of Immanuel Kant and its role in ethics

In the era of modern times three major philosophical trends (pantheism, rationalism and naturalism) in different ways tried to answer the question of what sort of a moral being is a person.Descartes believed that the environment and the individual are opposed to each other.Helvetius and his followers, like Rousseau, wrote about the harmony between man and nature.All of this background, a critical view of Kant was very helpful.He spoke sarcastically of contemporary moral theory.He also tried to rethink and somehow put the existing ethical problems.What is known for many of us the philosophy of Kant?The categorical imperative - that this term is often reminded us of the high school course.

First of all, the philosopher believes that a person can not and must not be guided solely by their own goals and interests.Yes, people do that, but because of this there is general chaos.So one has to think about their "kind", that is all, and then he will act according to the requirements of the moral law.So we just need to go beyond our 'private' horizon.The categorical imperative of Immanuel Kant - is the highest moral precepts of the philosopher, which is responsible of the installation.In fact, it is the requirement for an individual to "look" beyond their limbs and to see others.Man must act so that both he and the other represented for him the whole human race.And from this point of view, it can not consider the other as a means, but solely as a goal.

concept of the categorical imperative for the philosopher is a fundamental principle of the doctrine of what is virtue.Why is it such a name?Because it should only be done for its own sake.The principle itself is a command (imperativus in Latin).He needs no proof or justification.It represents a net withdrawal of practical reason, formulated in different works.From "Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals" to "Critique of Practical Reason," we see the categorical imperative of Immanuel Kant.What is he saying?The fact that any sentient being is an end in itself.This principle should be subordinated to any morality.

What does it mean?Kant shared the nature and culture of the world into two hostile.In the second of them - intelligible - are all the values ​​of reason.This is a world of freedom and necessity prevails in nature.If a person wishes to become a moral being, he must live as if he lived in this most transcendental universe.So he rose from the area to the everyday level of perfection.The categorical imperative of Immanuel Kant, according to its author, "lit from within".Therefore, it does not require evidence in the ordinary sense of the word.If they follow, do not you find yourself a reward in this society, but in a different world - it is the only principle of conduct.

Since man has to be the goal, and the highest value for other people, for that he should rise and overcome his selfish will.It must do so, as if his actions were the law for others in the world, where he would live.Therefore, the categorical imperative of Immanuel Kant logically leads us to the following conclusion.This moral man should behave according to these higher requirements, and not be guided by the principles of benefit and feasibility.Yes, we are surrounded by a whole ocean of baseness and conformism.But with courage and perseverance, we remain true to ourselves and not put their own personality.