Kantian Ethics: Exploring the Categorical Imperative - Essay Sample

Introduction

Kant believed that certain behaviours and actions were prohibited even in the situation that they made a person happy (Wood and Allen 1). Some of the practices included murder and theft. The current paper discusses Kantian ethics. Additionally, the paper will try to analyze a given dilemma.

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Kant believed in the categorical imperative (CI). The CI was strong moral beliefs that Kant had established. The CI binds everyone irrespective of their desires (Wood and Allen 68). For instance, it is wrong for anyone to lie, no matter the reason.

The first step of Kant's categorical imperative formulation was Universality (Wood and Allen 68). He stated that one should act according to given principles or maxim. For Kant, one should respond if there is a maxim that allows the act to be a universal law for everyone to perform. In the case that maxim brings about a contradiction to the universal law, then it is said to have failed.

Options

• Jessica could report Cole's father to the hospital management
• Jessica could tell Cole's father to change his behaviours
• Jessica could keep it a secret that Cole's father eats and sleeps in the hospital unlawfully
• Cole's father could stop his habit of coming to the hospital drunk and taking advantage of Cole's condition to live in the hospital.

Apply Categorical Imperative/Universality to Every Option

Jessica could report Cole's father to the hospital management. Would I want all people, consistently, universally to report parents who visit their kids in the hospital drunk? Yes, because parents should come to the hospital sober.

Jessica could tell Cole's father to change his behaviours. Would I want all people, consistently, universally to advise parents such as Cole's father to change their drinking habits and become responsible? Yes, because the parent may be undergoing a lot of stress and maybe needing advice.

Jessica could keep it a secret that Cole's father eats and sleeps in the hospital unlawfully. Would I want all people, consistently, universally to keep secrets about people who take advantage of their sick relatives to reside in the hospital unlawfully? No, because it is wrong for one to take advantage of such a situation as health and do illegal acts such as sleeping in the hospital illegally and eating food meant for the patients.

Cole's father could stop his habit of coming to the hospital drunk and taking advantage of Cole's condition to live in the hospital. Would I want all people, consistently, universally to stop their habit of going to the hospital drunk and taking advantage of the patient's conditions to live in the hospital illegally? Yes, because it is wrong to visit patients in the hospital while intoxicated, and also taking advantage of their health to unlawfully reside in the hospital.

Apply Respect for Persons Test

• Jessica could report Cole's father to the hospital management. Is Jessica exploiting anyone? No, because she pities Cole's father and it is the reason that she has not yet reported him.
• Jessica could tell Cole's father to change his behaviours. Is Jessica exploiting anyone? No, because by doing so, Jessica would have helped Cole's father improve his ways for a better life.
• Jessica could keep it a secret that Cole's father eats and sleeps in the hospital unlawfully. Is Jessica exploiting anyone? Yes, Jessica is exploiting the hospital by not telling the truth since Cole's father is eating and sleeping in the hospital illegally.
• Cole's father could stop his habit of coming to the hospital drunk and taking advantage of Cole's condition to live in the hospital. Is Cole's father exploiting anyone? Yes, Cole's father is exploiting Cole since he is taking advantage of Cole's sickness to eat and sleep in the hospital.

Conclusion

If Jessica was a Ketan, she could not have allowed Cole's father to stay and eat in the hospital illegally. She could have reported him to the necessary hospital management. Similarly, if Cole's father was a Ketan, he could not have taken advantage of Cole's condition to exploit him.

Works Cited

Wood, Allen W. Kantian ethics. Cambridge University Press, 2007. https://books.google.co.ke/books?hl=en&lr=&id=adzpa0_7L1cC&oi=fnd&pg=PR5&dq=kantian+ethics&ots=ff178U_xTc&sig=B3VVZq3P_5BvJCCNLXhhNjwl41k&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=kantian%20ethics&f=false