Clarity

Kant’s categorical imperative generates absolute rules, with no exceptions, which are easy to follow. Kant argued that rational beings understand what they should do (discounting desires and feelings), out of duty alone, and so apply the categorical imperative consistently in similar circumstances to give us rules eg “do not steal”, “do not lie”,  “help a friend in need”.

“Everyone who is ideally rational will legislate the same universal principles” Pojman (2002:147)

“Hypothetical oughts are possible because we have desires, categorical oughts are possible because we have reason”.  Rachels (2007:119)

Rigidity

Kant gave the example of the murderer who asks: “is your friend hiding in the house?” and argued “to be honest in all deliberations is a sacred and  absolutely commanding decree of reason…whoever tells a lie must answer for the consequences”. But aren’t we responsible too when we tell the truth and our friend is killed?

Kant believed that lying could not be adopted universally as a good thing because it would be self-defeating: trust would go and we would hurt each other.

Consistency

We are consistent in how we apply rules (we don’t exempt ourselves or others), and how we treat people (as “ends” with dignity and rights).

“Moral reasons, if they are valid at all, are binding on all people at all times..it implies that a person cannot regard himself as special, from a moral point of view…that his interests are more important than others” Rachels (2007:126)

Harshness – retribution

Kant believed in an eye for an eye and hanging murderers: “an evil deed draws punishment on itself”.  Respecting people’s rationality means holding them accountable for their actions.  If someone is kind to you be kind back..and vice versa.  Retribution (correct payment for wrongdoing) is good as it respects dignity and consistency.

“Reward and punishment are the natural expression of gratitude and resentment”. Rachels (2007:137)

Dignity / Equality

The value of human beings is absolute, Kant said “beyond all price”, and all of us must try to further the interests of others and treat them with respect.

“We have unconditional worth and so must treat all value-givers as valuable in themselves”.  Pojman (2002:145)

“Humans have intrinsic worth, ie dignity, because they are rational agents – that is, free agents…guiding their conduct by reason”. Rachels p129

Speceist

Because we are differentiated from animals by our reason, and it is our reason that gives us dignity, it follows, argued Kant, that animals cannot be given the same dignity and rights.

“As far as animals are concerned,  we have no direct duties.  Animals…are there merely as means to an end.  That end is man”.  Kant, Lectures on Ethics