PHIL1070 Chapter 20: Study Q 20_
Document Summary
Kant explains that lies cannot be justified because there is no way to universalize a maxim on lying that keeps people in acting morally from duty. Kant poses two difficult questions in order to explain this. The first question he asks himself is, would i be content for my maxim (of getting out of a difficulty through a false promise) to hold as a universal law, for myself as well as for others? (kant 14). This is essentially the golden rule (treat others the way you want to be treated) in which kant is saying that he can only lie to people if he wants them to lie to him. Not everyone reasons the same way and some things people feel are important to lie about would be important truths to others so lying cannot be universalized here, kant moves to a second question.
