Perfect & Imperfect Duties (Kant's Ethics #6)

In this video, we explore Immanuel Kant's distinctions between perfect and imperfect duties within his deontological moral philosophy. Kant argues that some actions fail to become universal laws due to contradictions, either in conception or in the will. We delve into what these contradictions mean and how they determine our moral obligations.

🔍 Key Concepts Covered:
- Contradiction in Conception: This occurs when a maxim, like making a false promise to acquire money, cannot be universally adopted without self-contradiction. Such maxims highlight our perfect duties, like the duty to always tell the truth.
- Contradiction in the Will: This occurs when a maxim, such as refusing to help those in need, cannot be universally willed by any rational person. This leads to imperfect duties, like the duty of beneficence, which allow for more flexibility in how and when they are fulfilled.

Join us as we unpack these concepts, providing clear examples to illustrate how Kant’s moral framework applies to everyday ethical decisions.

Perfect for University Courses & A-Level Philosophy & Ethics OCR & AQA or equivalent.

📖 Chapters:
00:00 Recap: Contradiction in Conception and in the Will
00:43 Perfect Duty & the Contradiction in Conception
01:03 Imperfect Duty & the Contradiction in the Will
01:52 Perfect Duties are More Important

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#KantianEthics #MoralPhilosophy #CategoricalImperative #EthicalTheory #Ethics

[mcaesargd]

what if it passes both the test of conception and will, is it a perfect duty?