Kant 3

1
Kant (3)

• The Categorical Imperative (continued)

2
CI Procedure reviewed

• Step 1 Propose a maxim
• Step 2 Generalize it
• Step 3 Transform it into a law of nature
• Step4 Figure out the Perturbed Social World
• Q1 Could I rationally act on my maxim in the
  PSW? (contradiction in conception?)
• Q2 Could I rationally choose the PSW?
  (contradiction in the will?)

3
Kants 4th example (cont.)

• Maxim of indifference In order to advance my own
  interests, I will not help others in need unless
  it is in my interest to do so.
• Kant this maxim fails the contradiction-in-the-wi
  ll test it would not be rational to choose the
  PSW, because I might end up needing help and not
  getting it.

4
First problem

• Certain factors might make it rational for me to
  choose the PSW
• -- my wealth or power
• -- my particular lifestyle
• -- my particular abilities

5
First fix

• Impose a veil of ignorance
• -- over my place in society
• -- my values
• -- my talents and abilities

6
Second problem

• Is the test now too strong?
• Maxim I am to help those in need if it does not
  require a major sacrifice on my part
• To choose the PSW for this maxim would be to
  choose a world which might thwart some end I have
  adopted
• If this is irrational then the maxim fails

7
Second fix

• Read the contradiction in the will test as
  checking for threats to ones basic needs as a
  rational agent.
• Basic idea a rational agent necessarily wants
  those things without which he cannot exercise his
  rationality
• So rationality requires him to reject worlds that
  do not assure him of those things.

8
Interpretation of Q2

• Official statement Could I rationally choose the
  PSW as a world to live in?
• Interpretation Maxim is acceptable only if its
  PSW, when viewed under a veil of ignorance, does
  not threaten basic needs I would have as a member
  of a community of rational beings.

9
Q1 revisited

• Q1 Could I rationally act on my maxim in the
  PSW?
• Initial interpretation In the PSW, would
  performing the maxims action in the maxims
  circumstances be an effective way of promoting
  the maxims end?
• Problem this interpretation does not always
  provide a usable test

10
Example

• When I have borrowed a book from the library and
  the library rules are not severely enforced, I
  will keep it as long as I feel I need it,
  regardless of the due date, in order to promote
  my own interests
• Problem In the PSW, I would never have a chance
  to act on the maxim

11
Third fix

• Q1 gets a no answer if EITHER acting on the maxim
  would be ineffective in achieving the maxims end
  OR having the maxim as a policy would not
  increase my prospects of achieving the maxims
  end, in the PSW.