golden rule of ethics - act towards others as we would like them to do to us, often mistakenly equated with the postulate of Immanuel Kant.It is a mistake, because the German philosopher wrote, is not it.Kant's categorical imperative - something that expresses the moral law, an absolute 'must'.This is regardless of whether we want to do something or not.
ethics of Kant - a categorical imperative and the notion of Maxim
are two types of imperatives: in addition there is a categorical hypothetical or conditional.It is defined as the conditional form of decrees, in this case certainly some action is justified in that it is the action - desirable (or can be).Conditional Imperative draws attention to the content and value of the act or action is determined by what the action is done.
In contrast, Kant's categorical imperative - it is something mandatory in itself, the criterion by which you can determine the morality of actions.The wording of it by the author himself is: a person must act so that his behavior, his actions could play the role of an example for others, that is, he can only do what he would have agreed if it made everyone around him.
Kant defined the maxim as a kind of judgment, which relates the purpose of man and his actions.It's subjective views on how to behave, not so much looks as principles of persuasion.Kant's categorical imperative suggests that it should be only those views which we will arrange, if they become beliefs for all those around us, to society in general.This value does not play any particular situation - all of which corresponds to the imperative, -nravstvenno.
What Kant offers - the offer to reason and not emotions, such an assessment of their actions can make the mind, the heart is not able to.Although human knowledge of the world begins with the empirical, that is, sensations, it is incomplete.Rather, in the knowledge of the nature of this method is good enough.But to judge the moral need something else.Since, according to the philosopher, the laws of morality can not be derived on the basis of their own experience.
therefore create scientific knowledge about morality and right as it occurs in the natural sciences, it is impossible.Hence - the need to obtain, using as a source of intelligence judgments.
freedom and morality
truly free person who is guided by certain norms, sets some rules above temporary circumstances.A moral person can not proceed in their actions from some conventional rules that vary from situation to situation.Such a person must measure their actions and take them on the basis of unconditional moral law, created by the mind, not limiting, but giving freedom.Kant's categorical imperative - and there is such an absolute law.He does not say how to do in a particular situation.There is only a general idea, the concept of duty to humanity, a person also has a full moral freedom to do whatever you like - only that it is "arbitrarily" should best meet the moral law.
For the philosopher there is no coercion or violence in the pursuit of imperative.The moral - it is something that is based on internal human motives, understanding them its debt, including the public.Therefore, Kant's categorical imperative only gives the rod, while offering the freedom of the individual.Including freedom of religion and of and from any stereotypes in relation to society, because this rule may apply in your life absolutely anyone.
