Do you see any problems with Kant's ``categorical imperative´´?

Question

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Categorical_imperative

Answer 1

Two problems:

1) Any given action could be described with an infinite number of possible "maxims" – from the absurdly general ("One should strike") to the absurdly specific ("One should strike leather-clad Dutchmen who threaten one's family with an aluminum baseball bat on the left kneecap"). These absurd extremes are perhaps easy enough to avoid, but there will still be dozens of valid maxims that all apply to the same single action.

2) There's no logical reason why the Categorical Imperative should be obeyed. One could argue, of course, that not obeying it is a form of hypocrisy. But there's nothing particularly irrational about hypocrisy.

Answer 2

The Categorical Imperative breaks down pretty quickly when you add emotion into the mix. One example that stands out in my mind is applying the CI to a murderer chasing a victim. Strictly interpreted, you would have to tell the truth to the murderer as to where the victim had hidden according to the CI. Not cool.

Answer 3

Only in so far as he discounts the importance of our emotions within our lives. The core basic idea that Kant has is that whatever reasons we give for doing or not doing any action, a rational person should accept them for everyone else, so long as no harm comes about.

Answer 4

actually kants theory of whatsoever blah blah blah is quite similar to dr ponnuswamis theory of of universal minimisation and abstract rationalisation.u can also refer to prof lulla de silvas book titled the best of limitless philosophical absurdities -from a lunatics perspective in which he clearly elucidates the infinite possibilities of a marsupials grey matter and also tries to compare it with the bovines and and early primates ( most notably the australiopithacus) .i hope the dfiagnosis of this incurable prognostic factor is clear to u by now.

Answer 5

I find a problem with a person who says I am thirsty let me give this lemonade to someone else and let me die of thirst.