Assignment: Categorical Imperative Philosophy
Assignment: Categorical Imperative Philosophy
Question Description
Prompt: In Groundwork section III, which is attached, Kant claims to provide a deduction of the categorical imperative. In 500 words or less, explain Kant’s argument for the claim that we are bound by the categorical imperative.
There’s an introductory paragraph and a wordy outline for the essay. Just fill in the details some more, cite, and format.
In Groundwork, Section III, Kant claims to provide a deduction of the categorical imperative. The deduction has two main steps: 1.) showing that we must assume we are free, even though we cannot prove this and 2.) showing that “pure practical reason” requires that we make our reasons for acting universal, the first formulation of the categorical imperative.
Freedom: In order to think of ourselves as moral agents—as responsible for our actions—we must assume we are free. However, we cannot prove this through any observation using the sense, and neither can we prove it using pure reason alone, that is, metaphysically. This is because we cannot know what things are “in themselves”—including our own selves, which means we can’t know we’re “really” free. If we’re free then we exercise choice, which means we use reason.
Pure Practical Reason and the Categorical Imperative: When we apply pure reason—reason that does not employ the senses—to the question of how we should act, that is, morality, we exercise “pure practical reason.” Since pure practical reason is reason, it is regulated by principles of universality and necessity: by what must be the case (necessity) for all moral agents (universality). But this requires that we abstract from all subjective considerations, which means considerations of happiness. What is left is the requirement that what is necessary applies to all moral agents. In other words, what is required is that our reason for acting—our maxim—be capable of being made into a universal law of nature that applies to all moral agents (the categorical imperative). If it can’t—if it is self defeating (e.g., lying: if I made my reason for lying universal, then everyone would do it as well and everyone would expect lies, so my lie would be self-defeating)
I don’t want to use any other sources beside the ONLY ONE Attached.
Thanks,
kant_reading.pdf
Assignment: Categorical Imperative Philosophy
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The paper must be neatly formatted, double-spaced with a one-inch margin on the top, bottom, and sides of each page. When submitting hard copy, be sure to use white paper and print out using dark ink. If it is hard to read your essay, it will also be hard to follow your argument.
ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE CLASS
Discussion Questions (DQ)
Initial responses to the DQ should address all components of the questions asked, include a minimum of one scholarly source, and be at least 250 words.
Successful responses are substantive (i.e., add something new to the discussion, engage others in the discussion, well-developed idea) and include at least one scholarly source.
One or two sentence responses, simple statements of agreement or “good post,” and responses that are off-topic will not count as substantive. Substantive responses should be at least 150 words.
I encourage you to incorporate the readings from the week (as applicable) into your responses.
Weekly Participation
Your initial responses to the mandatory DQ do not count toward participation and are graded separately.
In addition to the DQ responses, you must post at least one reply to peers (or me) on three separate days, for a total of three replies.
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Familiarize yourself with APA format and practice using it correctly. It is used for most writing assignments for your degree. Visit the Writing Center in the Student Success Center, under the Resources tab in LoudCloud for APA paper templates, citation examples, tips, etc. Points will be deducted for poor use of APA format or absence of APA format (if required).
Cite all sources of information! When in doubt, cite the source. Paraphrasing also requires a citation.
I highly recommend using the APA Publication Manual, 6th edition.
Use of Direct Quotes
I discourage overutilization of direct quotes in DQs and assignments at the Masters’ level and deduct points accordingly.
As Masters’ level students, it is important that you be able to critically analyze and interpret information from journal articles and other resources. Simply restating someone else’s words does not demonstrate an understanding of the content or critical analysis of the content.
It is best to paraphrase content and cite your source.
LopesWrite Policy
For assignments that need to be submitted to LopesWrite, please be sure you have received your report and Similarity Index (SI) percentage BEFORE you do a “final submit” to me.
Once you have received your report, please review it. This report will show you grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors that can easily be fixed. Take the extra few minutes to review instead of getting counted off for these mistakes.
Review your similarities. Did you forget to cite something? Did you not paraphrase well enough? Is your paper made up of someone else’s thoughts more than your own?
Visit the Writing Center in the Student Success Center, under the Resources tab in LoudCloud for tips on improving your paper and SI score.
Late Policy
The university’s policy on late assignments is 10% penalty PER DAY LATE. This also applies to late DQ replies.
Please communicate with me if you anticipate having to submit an assignment late. I am happy to be flexible, with advance notice. We may be able to work out an extension based on extenuating circumstances.
If you do not communicate with me before submitting an assignment late, the GCU late policy will be in effect.
I do not accept assignments that are two or more weeks late unless we have worked out an extension.
As per policy, no assignments are accepted after the last day of class. Any assignment submitted after midnight on the last day of class will not be accepted for grading.
Communication
Communication is so very important. There are multiple ways to communicate with me:
Questions to Instructor Forum: This is a great place to ask course content or assignment questions. If you have a question, there is a good chance one of your peers does as well. This is a public forum for the class.
Individual Forum: This is a private forum to ask me questions or send me messages. This will be checked at least once every 24 hours.
