Paul Maverick B. Ward                                                                                      

Contemporary Moral Problems by James E. White (7^th Edition)

Library Reference: none

Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/Contemporary-Moral-Problems-James-White/dp/0495553204/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1233910528&sr=1-1

Learning Expectations:

            I expect to learn how important is Categorical Imperative is to other people especially to those who are very religious. I also expect to learn why many people make it a sacred thing to obey categorical imperative.

Review:

            On the seventh (7) sub-chapters in the 1^st chapter of the book Contemporary Moral Problems, Immanuel Kant discusses about Categorical Imperative to the readers.

Categorical Imperative is a kind of morality wherein people believe that they have a certain duty to perform for their lives. Good will also performs a role in Categorical Imperative especially to those people who are religious in nature. An example for this is the Buddhist Monks that practice this kind of morality everyday of their lives. They would deprive themselves from earthly pleasures such as entertainment devices, buffet like servings of food, and even women. They would rid themselves of these things just to do the sole purpose their religion is offering them. They would offer good will to others to show that they are true to their duty. They would also be true to their duty and would not do anything to disobey it and make it bad. These actions are with motives which in fact make them even more dedicated to accomplish their sole duty.

Categorical Imperative also lets the person practicing it to think of the situation first before arriving in a decision. People who undergo this morality would first think of the possibilities and would then be firm to their decision. It is also a decision where others are thought of first. This is somehow not a selfish act to perform because the decision would be based on the welfare of others. The situation would be dealt first then the person can look at some options that he can choose on which the decision would be right or wrong for other people. This kind of morality also stands close to the laws being implemented on the specific place or location.

Lessons Learned:

I have learned how Categorical imperative change the lives of other people especially those who have strong religious ties. I have also learned that this kind of morality is for the benefit of the many and abides strictly to the laws.

Integrative Questions:

1.  Who is Immanuel Kant?
2.  What is Categorical Imperative?
3.  What is hypothetical imperative?
4.  What is the difference between the two?
5.  How does categorical imperative affect the way people live?

Review Questions:

1. Explain Kant’s account of the good will.

-       It is impossible to conceive anything at all in the world, or even out of it, which can be taken as good without qualification, except good will.

2. Distinguish between hypothetical and categorical imperatives.

-       Hypothetical imperative is to not know beforehand what will contain until its condition is given while categorical imperative is to know once what it contains.

3. State the first formulation of the categorical imperative (using the notion of a universal law), and explain how Kant uses this rule to derive some specific duties toward self and others.

-       Act only on that maxim through which you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law.

4. State the second version of the categorical imperative (using the language of means and end) and explain it.

-       The end justifies the mean. Whatever you do makes the outcome.

Discussion Questions:

1. Are the two versions of the categorical imperative just different expressions of one basic rule, or are they two different rules? Defend your view.

-       No because both of them has its own views.

2. Kant claims that an action that is not done from the motive of duty has no moral worth. Do you agree or not? If not, give some counterexamples.

-       I agree.

3. Some commentators think that the categorical imperative (particularly the first formulation) can be used to justify nonmoral or immoral actions. Is this a good criticism?

-       No, I don’t think so.