DEONTOLOGY HOW DO YOU FIGURE OUT WHAT'S MORAL?
- According to Kant, categorical imperatives can be
 Explain the meaning of morality as goodwill.
 Relate the idea of duty to respect for the moral
law.
 Enumerate the four formulations of the
categorical imperative and explain what do they
mean.
 Give an example of a rule of action (a maxim)
that Kant believes is not universalizable and
explain why it is not using the characteristics of
the moral law being universalizable.
The term deontology comes from the Greek words for
duty (deon) and science (or study) (logos).
A standard of rationality is the supreme principle of
morality. Kant called this the “Categorical Imperative”
(CI) which is characterized by being objective, rationally
necessary, and an unconditional principle that we must
always follow despite any natural desires or inclinations
we may have to the contrary (Johnson 2016)
- For Kant, morality is a constant/ absolute
- Kant viewed morality in terms of Categorical
imperatives -- a command that must be followed
regardless of desires. This is our moral obligation, and
these are purely determined by reason and intellect.
- This is why Kant believes that religion and morality are
a bad pairing as he believes that what's right from
wrong can be determined by using intellect.
figured out through various formulations:
1. The Universalizability Principle
- "Act only to that maxim (a rule or principle of action)
which you can at the same time will that it should
become a universal law (something that must always be
done in similar situations) without contradictions.
- For an act to be moral, you must consider and evaluate
if it universalizable. Hence, one must examine an act’s
morality by visualizing everyone adopting and doing
that particular action.
2. Formula of Humanity
- "Act so that you treat humanity, whether in your own
person or in that of another, always as an end, and
never a mere means (to use something for your own
benefit or interest regardless of interest of the thing
you're using."
- This is basically considering humans/ ourselves as end-
in-ourselves. Humans are rational and autonomous
creatures; therefore, humans exist for their own
benefits.
- Although, we can most of the time use other people as
means, that is recognizing their humanity when we use
them and they somehow agreed to being used.
- However, it is morally wrong to use them as mere
means, because as humans, we have autonomy. We are
self-governed and free to make our own decisions
based on moral wills.
ADDITIONAL NOTE:
According to use of knowledge in society Frederick
Hayek. Use of knowledge in the society-- we humans
should share knowledge billions of people.
Note:

- Categorical Imperative is simply a formal

method by which to examine any action about
which might be morally relevant.
- Kant basically believes that by nature, the moral
law is universal and impartial and rational, the
categorical is a way of formulating the criteria
by which any action can pass the test of
universality, impartiality, and rationality. That is
its only function.
- The Categorical Imperative is universal and
impartial -- universal because all people, in
virtue of being rational, would act in precisely
the same way, and impartial because their
actions are not guided by their own biases, but
because they respect the dignity and autonomy
of every human being and do not put their own
personal ambitions above the respect that
others deserve.
- The Categorical Imperative is devised by Kant to
provide a formulation by which we can apply
our human reason to determine the right, the
rational thing to do -- that is our duty.
- Perfect Duty is that which we are all obliged to
do all of the time. 

- Imperfect Duties are those which we should do

as often as possible but can not be expected to
do always.         e.g., be charitable, loving,

Remember:

The Categorical Imperative is NOT the

Golden Rule