Philippa Foots Hypothetical Imperatives Essay - 1261 Words

Philippa Foots Hypothetical Imperatives Philippa Foot finds trouble with the arguments of Kant, who said that it was necessary to distinguish moral judgments from hypothetical imperatives. Although this may have become an unquestionable truth, Foot says that this is a misunderstanding. Kant defined a hypothetical imperative as an action that addresses what should or ought to be done. He believed that the necessity of performing a certain action was based on other desires. This particular action would only be important if it was beneficial for another reason. It is prudent that a man feel the responsibility to achieve his own wants. However, Kant speaks of a second group of imperatives known as categorical imperatives.†¦show more content†¦In addition, this man cannot argue that the moral advice he has been given is against his interests. This connection requires a different kind of support. There is a clear difference between moral judgments and hypothetical imperatives. In saying that moral judgments are categorical imperatives, Kant is signifying them as unique and special in nature. This is an area in which modern philosophers find accord with Kants ideas. These philosophers all agree that an unconditional requirement exists in moral judgments. In these types of judgments, there are pre-legislated right and wrong actions. These rules are absolute, and it is for this reason that moral judgments are distinguished from hypothetical imperatives. The trouble is found when one attempts to find the feature of moral judgments which gives them reason to be absolute and binding. The fault is that should is also used in a non-hypothetical way in non-moral statements, but in these statements there is no special dignity given to the statement. An example of this is the should of Etiquette. Rules of etiquette are common issues in which considering the use of the word should is helpful. Again, as in a moral judgment, the should is being used in a non-hypothetical form. For example, it is common etiquette that if a man receives an invitation in the third person, he shall respond to the invitation in the same form. Similarly to moral judgments, the rule is sustainedShow MoreRelatedThe Flaws Of Foots Moral System Essay1519 Words   |  7 PagesIn â€Å"Morality as a System of Hypothetical Imperatives,† Philippa Foot argues that moral judgments are in hypothetical imperatives rather than categorical imperatives. For Kant, categorical imperatives are actions that are good in themselves and do not depend on desires, while, hypothetical imperatives are â€Å"actions that are good to some purpose† (306). 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