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

Three theories for a better life - Essay ExampleThus, it is important that we know 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 tire 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 super C dilemma that confronts many 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 Kants categorical imperative. (b) what ar the ethical implications of thisimpe rative c provide a somewhat detailed synopsis of an ethically relevant problem or situation, different from those discussed in thereadings or in class, that can be illuminated through this imperative. To effectively explain Kants 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 showing up early. Often they are hypothetical imperative because they only serve a specific objective or purpose such as provoke up early so you will not be later for work. This imperative or command becomes categorical when it is applied... To effectively explain Kants 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 wake up early. Often they are hypothetical imperative because they only serve a specific obje ctive or purpose such as 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 chastely (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 top in the exercise of freewill. Consistent to this, Kants second imperative 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 Kants categorical imperative is best illustrated in slave ownership. A slave owner may insist his right to own a property which in this case is a slave. While ownership by itself is not immoral, slave ow nership becomes unethical or immoral according to Kants second imperative because it deprives a person of his free rational action and that persons can never be a clean means to an end.