Categorical Imperative

• What does this contrast to and how?

  • contrasts to the hypothetical imperative: if A, then B
  • Categorical imperative: do A
• An 'ought' that does not need qualification 


  This categorical 'ought' does not mean we should do 'duty for duty's sake whatever the consequences' - not absolutely deontological
• Uses reasoning

  Rational and reflective principle
• Organic link with people's wants and desires 


  e/g a natural link with people's duty to tell the truth and their natural desire to not be lied to - command that cannot be disobeyed/ignored
• What are the three main formulations?

  • Universalisability
  • The Practical Imperative
  • The Kingdom of the Ends
• What is an issue with this?

  the existence of radical evil - awful things happen to good people even if they follow the categorical imperative