PHIL 100A Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Categorical Imperative, Ithaca College
Document Summary
In section 2, kant focuses on moral reasons, and investigates what sort of reasons these are. He distinguishes two types of practical reasons, hypothetical reasons and categorical reasons. In arguing for this, kant refers to reasons as imperatives. Imperatives = rational demands issued to imperfect wills. These are experienced by imperfect wills as rational constraints. They say things like such and such is the rational, and the only rational, thing to do (in your condition) and reason says you ought do it. We can distinguish b/w the hypothetical imperative and more specific hypothetic imperatives. The hi = one ought to take the necessary means in one"s power to achieve one"s ends (or else give up the ends). If you want to drive that nail into the board, then you ought to use a hammer. If you want to pass your biology test, then you ought to study for it tonight.
