Act in Accordance with Universal Law

1. CHAPTER 16
“Act in Accordance with Universal
Law” by Immanuel Kant
Yuan Carlos
20191000019

2. About the author
• Immanuel Kant was
born in 1724 AD in
Konisbergen, East
Prussia, Germany
• since 1755 he has
served as a professor at
the konisberg university
• in March 1770, he was
appointed professor of
logic and metaphysics

3. The Good willAccording to Kant, what is the
only good-in-itself? Why is this so? Is
it a necessary condition for happiness?
• Kant said there is nothing that can be conceived in the world, or even beyond that,
that is can be called good, without qualifications, except good intentions. Good will
is goodness not because of what he does, not because of his will but only based on
the will that is considered good according to him.
• No one can understand the world or even outside it can be called well without
qualification unless good intentions
• But the gift of this gift can also be very bad and evil if the desire to use it forms
what is called the character is not good. Just as power, wealth, honor, even health,
and general welfare and satisfaction with a condition of a person called happiness,
inspiring the convenes

4. Is it true that is higher moral value to do
someone’s task with the wit ?
Immanuel Kant argues that the act of defending our
selves if done from the tendency has no moral values,
but the act of defending if “ is done by the task of
moral value for example

5. Does Kant believe reason is inimical to good
choices? Explain his view of the relation
between the good will and reason.
Hypothetical Imperative: a conditional maxim
based on relative means/ends in the everyday
world or every-day circumstances. The goal is
not based on pure reason alone but usually
upon desires. E.g., "If you want to be smart,
then study hard."

6. How does he distinguish between an action
done for the sake of duty and an action done
in accordance with duty?
• The class of actions in accordance with duty must
be distinguished from the class of actions
performed for the sake of duty.
• Kant believes only actions performed for the sake
of duty have moral worth. He seems to suggest
that the greater one's disinclination to act for the
sake of duty, the greater the moral worth of the
action.
• If one performs an action by inclination, then that
action has no moral worth

7. Why is it selfish for a prudent merchant not
to overcharge a child?
• Because children do not have income like adults, for
example if the merchant sells the goods too
expensive then the child will not be able to buy it
• is a good thing if the merchant does not take too
much profit from the children

8. Why according to Kant is there no moral
worth in taking delight in helping others?
Would it really be of higher moral worth to
do one's duty grudgingly?
• He seems to suggest that the greater one's
disinclination to act for the sake of duty, the
greater the moral worth of the action.
• If one performs an action by inclination, then
that action has no moral worth

9. Explain how not keeping a promise cannot be
done in accordance with the categorical
imperative. How do you think Kant
distinguishes between a maxim and a
universal law?
• Maxim: a particular directive, a subjective principle of volition
(a principle upon which you act). The nature of the maxim
upon which an action is based is the manner in which
intentions are expressed. for example maxim: said if cutting
nails at night can hurt your fingers
• Categorical Imperative: a rule stating what ought to be done
based upon pure reason alone and not contingent upon
sensible desires. "I am never to act otherwise than to will
that my maxim should become universal law."

10. Explain what it means to make a maxim a
universal law? Can you
think of an action which is morally correct
that cannot be universalized?
The moral status of an action must be determined by evaluating its maxim. A
maxim is a rule that connects an action to the reasons for the action. Maxim
Examples:
• I ought to work harder in order to give to the poor.
The idea here is that some actions cannot be universal and necessary because
they undermine the relationship between the action and the goal when
universalized. For example, the maxim "I ought to kill people in order to
attain wealth" cannot be a universal and necessary maxim because in
attaining wealth through murder, I would universally and necessarily become
the murder target of other people.

11. THANK YOU