Categorical Imperative - Essay Example

Categorical Imperative Many questionable issues in modern society are being observed from the perspective of morality. Theconcept of categorical imperative by Immanuel Kant provides a background for observation of the variety of aspects of life. It is less connected with the outcomes and contacts merely with inner truth and the connection with the surrounding world. This paper is focused on defining the concept of categorical imperative and observation of the issue of suicide through the noted paradigm.

Categorical imperative is an essential thought of the deontological reasoning worldview. It has two essential definitions. One communicates that absolute basic is a movement, which is ethically ideal for a person in a particular circumstance if and just if the individuals explanation behind doing the activity is a reason that he or she would will to have each individual follow up on in and comparable circumstance. This definition uncovers the idea of universalizability – which is the background of categorical imperative.

It can be characterized as activity being moral in the event that an individual would recognize thusly of choice and activity being appropriate as this conduct could turn into a universal law (Kant, 2007). Another definition says that categorical imperative is an activity, which is ethically ideal for a person in a sure circumstance: just if is performing the activity, the individual does not utilize others only to advance his or her own particular goals and interests, additionally both regards and builds up their ability to act freely for according to their choice.

The starting definition gives cautious thought on universal law. The second proposes an individual being more philanthropic and kindhearted, and less egoistic. Both these angles are essential. I assume the worldview ought to be actualized broadly to raise individual and societal proper conduct. Considering Kants categorical imperative paradigm, it is a need to check what may be if everybody acted like that. This is known as the rule of universalizability. The deontological ethics epitome is that a moral estimation of an action is self-sufficient of its outcomes; along these lines the choice is not directed by them really.

Suicide seems to be personal; but it is not. People are interconnected, thus, the death of an individual would influence his or her surrounding environment. Applying the defined concept of categorical imperative, first it is important to think, would it be proper in case all the people would kill themselves under particular circumstances. There are many reasons for conducting a suicide. Many teenagers die because of unrequited love. Thus, they may die and never meet their true love. Would it be right if everybody did so?

Looks like it is not. Applying the second aspect, which regards other people, death influences other people; especially suicide. From one point, suicide is not using others in own interest – when it is not doctor-assisted suicide or manipulating other people. The same time, suicide is a right and no one can take it away. But close people suffer from the suicide of the one they love. To sum up, it is important to act, observing the way it is connected with inner and outer world. As far as categorical imperative differs from consequentialism, the main focus concerns not outcomes of the action but the inner duty.

Suicide is not prohibited, but it has to be observed from the wider perspective. Categorical imperative makes it possible to observe things in a broader sense and taking other people into consideration. References Kant, I. (2007). Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals.