Barroga, Christed Aljo C.

CE22FB3
Chapter 9: Are There Absolute Moral Rules?
1. What is a hypothetical imperative?
A hypothetical imperative is a rule that specifies what we ought to do if we want to reach
some end, satisfy some desire, or accomplish some goal. Hypothetical imperatives are typically
expressed as “if you want x, you ought to do y.” For example, if you want an A on the exam, you
ought to study is a hypothetical imperative. Hypothetical imperatives only apply to those
individuals who have the relevant end, desire, or goal they want to accomplish. And so, if I don’t
desire to get an A on the exam (maybe I am happy with a D), the hypothetical imperative if you
want an A on the exam, you ought to study does not apply to me. In short, desires make
hypothetical imperatives possible.
2. What is categorical imperative?
A categorical imperative is a rule that specifies what we ought to do something (period),
i.e., not on the condition that we have some desire we want to satisfy or goal we want to
accomplish. Whereas hypothetical imperatives are typically expressed as “if you want x, you
ought to do y”, categorical imperatives are expressed as “you ought to do y”. Whereas
hypothetical imperatives only apply if I have the relevant desire, categorical imperatives apply
universally and are independent of our desires and goals.
3. What is an absolute moral rule?
An absolute moral rule is a rule that states that some actions ought to be done (or ought
never to be done), no exceptions. Examples include: We should never intentionally kill an
innocent person. We should never lie. The Ten Commandments We should never knowingly
betray a person’s confidence. In thinking about the nature of absolute moral rules, it is helpful to
distinguish two different kinds of sentences that make use of words like “ought” and “should”.
4. What is the difference between a hypothetical and a categorical imperative?
Hypothetical "oughts" for instance,
if you want to gamble you ought to go to Vegas (or Mt.Pleasant)
if you want to pass the course you ought to complete the assignments
Categorical imperatives -- no "ifs" -- you ought to do it period.
Morality concerns how we ought to live and act and all things considered, or in the final
analysis: no ifs, ands, or buts.
5. In making moral judgement “maxim passes” implies?
It implies that the action is morally permissible, that you may morally act on it.
6. In making moral judgement “maxim fails” implies?
It implies that the action is morally wrong: your moral duty forbids doing this
7. Is lying permissible?
According to the consequentialist, lying is morally permissible if and only if doing so
would increase the total amount of happiness. However, some people think that lying is always
morally wrong. For example, the ninth commandment “thou shall not bear false witness against
your neighbor” is sometimes interpreted to mean “thou shall not lie”. In addition, Kant thought
that it was morally wrong to lie.
8. What is the lasting contribution of Kant to morality?
Violating morality is not only immoral but irrational, also Morality and rationality are
tied. And that Moral judgments must be backed by good reasons

9. What is Problem of which rule to try to universalize?

Kant thought there was an absolute prohibition on lying because one could not
universalize lying (for doing so would be self-defeating-no one would believe lies if there was
universal law permitting lying). But perhaps one can universalize "lying to save an innocent
person's life"

10. What are the universalizable means?

The universalizable means are, Not self-defeating, Reversible, and consistently applied.