Kant's Second Formulation of the Categorical Imperative
Kant’s second formulation of the categorical imperative outlines the principles of how moral actions, goals, judgment, and patients affect a person. The principles stated give an adequate way of judging one's actions, the societal norms and also the government laws. That one should not use the other as only a means to an end that no one should use another person as a bridge to arrive at their destination. It talks about how an action of oneself can positively or negatively affect the actions of the other population towards the same person. This philosophical concept provides an adequate guideline or way to judge personal actions, societal meaning or norms and also some government laws. Kant gives examples to discuss these moral behaviors in our daily lives and also indicating the consequences resulting from the actions or decisions of members of the community. I support Kant’s position because it strengthens the relationship of a person to others and also guide on how to boost our moral behaviors. Kant and wolff-1985
Judgment on Personal Actions
On the judgment on personal actions, Kant gives a very detailed explanation on how one should treat others for the same to be done to him. He gives the concept of duties towards oneself and others that should be concerned by the welfare of the neighbor, having a responsibility towards the person next to you; being a brother’s keeper. He argues some cases where an action directly affects all the parties involved. Each rational action must set a principle and an end which is of subjective nature. For an end to be successful and objective it must depend on one’s actions or he purses it. Immanuel Kant-1994, in addition,states, that one should act so as to treat humanity in oneself and others only as an end but not a means.
Avoiding the Use of Others as a Means
He gave a case of a slave owner who uses a slave as a means to sufficient harvests. Thus the denial of free will actions of the slave denies the status of that person as an end in them.
The Concept of Imperfect Duty
Kant analyzes the concept of imperfect duty, that if anyone has an urge for perfection in him and others it is his moral duty to seek that end for the equality of all people but not oppose the concept of perfect duty. He argues the relationship between theft and the government laws that no person can consent to theft because it would mean that the transfer was not a theft.
Norms Within Society
In connection to the norms within the society, Kant gave a case of laziness of the community, that if everyone fails to what hard and maximize profit there would be no pleasures to enjoy because there will be no one to create luxuries. Everyone has a duty to work hard and increase his earnings for it is not willed to make laziness universal.
Conclusion
From the three arguments analyzed from Kant’s concepts, I strongly believe that they have outlined in a very detailed and adequate way on how to judge the personal actions, societal meanings, and the government laws. When he talks about doing to others what one would like to be done to him, he gives an analysis how one should treat others and work hand in hand for the benefit both of oneself and others. In addition to this, the other principles outline how laziness can affect the society and how the government laws can be affected by the actions of the citizens.
Supporting Kant's Second Formulation of the Categorical Imperative
One should support my argument that Kant’s second formulation of categorical imperative gives an adequate judgment because it focuses on the gains observed from all concepts outlined which if followed they promote our ethics within the society. Also, the argument outlines the consequence of our actions towards others.
Works cited
Kant, Immanuel et al. Ethical Philosophy. Hackett Pub. Co., 1994.
Kant, Immanuel, and Robert Paul Wolff. Foundations Of The Metaphysics Of Morals. Macmillan, 1985.
