Three theories for a better life Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Three theories for a better life - Essay Example Thus, it is important that we know â€Å"ourselves†, our failings, our tendencies and our weaknesses so that we may guard ourselves from it and prevent ourselves from veering away from virtuousness. We can take for an example an honest family man who makes a living for his family. He may toil with integrity under normal situation, but when a crisis like losing a job will set in, he may be faced with a dilemma that would reveal his weakness and change his disposition (honesty). He may be tempted to commit fraud when presented the opportunity just to provide for his family. This is a common dilemma that confronts many â€Å"honest† people which made them less virtuous because it hit their unguarded weaknesses such as theirlove and duty for their family that held them hostage to do things that they do not like. 3) (a) State and explain the meaning of the second version of Kant's categorical imperative. (b) what are the ethical implications of this  imperative; [c] provid e a somewhat detailed analysis of an ethically relevant problem or situation, different from those discussed in the  readings or in class, that can be illuminated through this imperative. To effectively explain Kant’s second version of categorical imperative, it would be necessary to understand what Kant meant by categorical imperative. According to Kant, imperatives imply what they meant which are command such as â€Å"wake up early†. Often they are hypothetical imperative because they only serve a specific objective or purpose such as â€Å"wake up early so you will not be later for work. This imperative or command becomes categorical when it is applied... To effectively explain Kant’s second version of categorical imperative, it would be necessary to understand what Kant meant by categorical imperative. According to Kant, imperatives imply what they meant which are command such as â€Å"wake up early†. Often they are hypothetical imperative because they only serve a specific objective or purpose such as â€Å"wake up early so you will not be later for work. This imperative or command becomes categorical when it is applied universally and that the actions and decisions of individuals are to be judged solely by their motivations and that the consequences do not matter morally (as in the case of hypothetical imperative) neither the intended consequences nor the actual consequences matter morally; only the principle or rule we follow if we do the action matters morally. Thus actions themselves become an end and this action should be a rational result in the exercise of freewill. Consistent to this, Kant’s second impe rative states that every person has the duty to use and exercise his goodness/humanity as a means to an end. The application of this second formulation of Kant’s categorical imperative is best illustrated in slave ownership. A slave owner may assert his right to own a property which in this case is a slave. While ownership by itself is not immoral, slave ownership becomes unethical or immoral according to Kant’s second imperative because it deprives a person of his free rational action and that persons can never be a mere means to an end.