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4 Universalizability

The document discusses the concept of universalizability, which is a key aspect of Kant's formal moral theory known as the Categorical Imperative. The Categorical Imperative states that we should only act according to maxims that we can universalize or apply universally without contradiction. The document uses Kant's example of making a false promise to borrow money with no intention of repaying it. Kant argues this maxim cannot be universalized as the act of borrowing implies returning the item, and claiming to borrow without intending to return it contradicts the meaning of borrowing itself. Therefore, universalizability requires that principles and judgments can be applied to everyone without contradiction.

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517 views12 pages

4 Universalizability

The document discusses the concept of universalizability, which is a key aspect of Kant's formal moral theory known as the Categorical Imperative. The Categorical Imperative states that we should only act according to maxims that we can universalize or apply universally without contradiction. The document uses Kant's example of making a false promise to borrow money with no intention of repaying it. Kant argues this maxim cannot be universalized as the act of borrowing implies returning the item, and claiming to borrow without intending to return it contradicts the meaning of borrowing itself. Therefore, universalizability requires that principles and judgments can be applied to everyone without contradiction.

Uploaded by

Andrea Trinidad
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

UNIVERSALIZABILITY

ETHICS CHAPTER 4 ; LESSON 3


(FINALS)
WHAT COMES TO YOUR MIND
WHEN YOU HEAR/READ THE WORD
UNIVERSALIZABILITY?
SUBSTANTIVE MORAL THEORY

Identifies the particular duties in a


straightforward manner that the adherents of
the theory must follow.
FORMAL MORAL THEORY
This doesn't supply the rules or commands
straightaway. It doesn't tell you what you
may or may not do.
It will not give us a list of rules or
commands. Instead, it will give us a set of
instructions on how to make a list of duties
or moral commands.
FORMAL MORAL THEORY

GRUNDLEGUNG ZUR
METAPHYSIK DER SITTEN

- "GROUNDWORK OF THE METAPHYSICS OF


MORALS"
- WRITTEN BY IMMANUEL KANT IN 1785
- EMBODIES A FORMAL THEORY IN WHAT
HE CALLS THE CATEGORICAL
IMPERATIVE.

CATEGORICAL IMPERATIVE

Act only according to such


UNIVERSALIZABILITY a maxim, by which you
PRINCIPLE can at once will that it
become a universal law.
MAXIM

According to Kant, Maxim is 'a subjective principle of


action'. By this he means a rule of action a man follows as
part of his own policy of living, whatever rules of living
other people may have.
UNIVERSALIZABILITY

In Groundwork Towards a Methaphysics of Morals,


Kant takes up the issue of making false promises. He
narrates the predicament of a man who needs money,
but has no immediate access to obtain it except by
borrowing it from a friend.
false PROMISE
UNIVERSALIZABILITY

A promise that is made with no intention of carrying


it out and especially with intent to deceive or
defraud. A promise that is made without
consideration and is usually unenforceable.
UNIVERSALIZABILITY
Kant distinguishes between being "consistent with itself" and
"condradict itself" Look at the maxim again "When I am in need
of money, I shall borrow it even when I know I cannot pay it
back." The meaning of the act "to borrow" implies taking and
using something with the intent to return it. In the maxim, the
claim is to borrow "even when I know I cannot pay it back,"
which contradicts the very meaning of "to borrow."
This is why Kant claims that the universalized maxim "could
never be valid as a universal law of nature and be consistent
with itself, but must necessarily contradict itself."
To simplify, Universalizability means judgments or principles of
which it can be said that everyone should judge or act in the
same way, are universalizable judgments or principles.
REPORTED BY: REANNE MANALANSAN & ALLIAH ROMAN

THANK YOU!

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