Universalizability: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Concept in Kantian ethics}} |
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The concept of '''universalizability''' is one which was set out by the [[19th century]] [[German]] philosopher [[Immanuel Kant]] as part of his work, the [[Groundwork for the Metaphysic of Morals]]. It is part of the first formulation of his [[categorical imperative]], the idea that the only moral actions are ones which can be acted on as though they could rationally be willed to become a universal law, or [[maxim]]. It is possible to 'test' to determine whether a maxim is universalizable through reason, i.e. lying to suit one's own ends would fail the test, but keeping one's promises would not. |
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{{distinguish|Universalism|Universalization}} |
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{{primary sources|date=November 2014}} |
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The concept of '''universalizability''' was set out by the 18th-century [[Germany|German]] philosopher [[Immanuel Kant]] as part of his work ''[[Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals]]''. It is part of the first formulation of his [[categorical imperative]], which states that the only morally acceptable [[Maxim (philosophy)|maxims]] of our actions are those that could rationally be willed to be universal law.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kant|first=Immanuel|url=https://archive.org/details/groundingformet000kant|title=Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals|publisher=Hackett|year=1993|isbn=0-87220-166-X|edition=3rd|page=[https://archive.org/details/groundingformet000kant/page/30 30]|translator-last=Ellington|translator-first=James W.|orig-year=1785|url-access=registration}}</ref> |
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The precise meaning of universalizability is contentious, but the most common interpretation is that the categorical imperative asks whether the maxim of your action could become one that everyone could act upon in similar circumstances. An action is socially acceptable if it can be universalized (i.e., everyone could do it).{{Citation needed|date=January 2017}} |
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For instance, one can determine whether a maxim of lying to secure a loan is moral by attempting to universalize it and applying reason to the results. If everyone lied to secure loans, the very practices of promising and lending would fall apart, and the maxim would then become impossible. |
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Kant calls such acts examples of a contradiction in conception, which is much like a [[performative contradiction]], because they undermine the very basis for their existence.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Kant: Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals|last=Kant|first=Immanuel|date=1998-01-01|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=9780521626958|editor-last=Gregor|editor-first=Mary|pages=53|oclc=47008768}}</ref> |
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Kant's notion of universalizability has a clear antecedent in [[Rousseau]]'s idea of a [[general will]]. Both notions provide for a radical separation of will and nature, leading to the idea that true freedom lies substantially in self-legislation.{{Citation needed|date=January 2017}} |
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==See also== |
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*[[Categorical imperative]] |
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*[[Deontology]] |
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==References== |
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{{Reflist}} |
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{{Universalism footer}} |
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[[Category:Concepts in ethics]] |
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[[Category:Kantianism]] |
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Latest revision as of 02:19, 26 October 2023
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The concept of universalizability was set out by the 18th-century German philosopher Immanuel Kant as part of his work Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals. It is part of the first formulation of his categorical imperative, which states that the only morally acceptable maxims of our actions are those that could rationally be willed to be universal law.[1]
The precise meaning of universalizability is contentious, but the most common interpretation is that the categorical imperative asks whether the maxim of your action could become one that everyone could act upon in similar circumstances. An action is socially acceptable if it can be universalized (i.e., everyone could do it).[citation needed]
For instance, one can determine whether a maxim of lying to secure a loan is moral by attempting to universalize it and applying reason to the results. If everyone lied to secure loans, the very practices of promising and lending would fall apart, and the maxim would then become impossible.
Kant calls such acts examples of a contradiction in conception, which is much like a performative contradiction, because they undermine the very basis for their existence.[2]
Kant's notion of universalizability has a clear antecedent in Rousseau's idea of a general will. Both notions provide for a radical separation of will and nature, leading to the idea that true freedom lies substantially in self-legislation.[citation needed]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Kant, Immanuel (1993) [1785]. Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals. Translated by Ellington, James W. (3rd ed.). Hackett. p. 30. ISBN 0-87220-166-X.
- ^ Kant, Immanuel (1998-01-01). Gregor, Mary (ed.). Kant: Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals. Cambridge University Press. p. 53. ISBN 9780521626958. OCLC 47008768.