The Categorical Imperative

I was introduced yesterday to the categorical imperative which is a central idea to the philosophy of Immanuel Kant. The first formulation is stated this way: “Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law.” In other words, we should live only by those principles which could be universally applied without contradiction. For example, he suggested that lying should be forbidden under any circumstance because if universally applied—i.e. everyone always lied—language itself wouldn’t even make sense. I really like this idea as a way to evaluate our own actions: we should ask ourselves what the consequences would be if everyone lived by the principle guiding our choices. As the lectures I was listening to highlighted, Abraham Lincoln understood this and applied it slavery: “As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master.” If our way of life accepts the principle that men can be taken into slavery, then this implies that we also accept that we could be slaves.   

We see that the Gadianton robbers did not live by the categorical imperative, for they did plunder and murder and that cannot be extended universally and have a society survive. We see the problem with in in the example of the murder of Seezoram by his brother Seantum who did “both belong to [the] secret band, whose author is Gadianton” (Helaman 8:27-28). Even though they both were supposed to be united in this society, their principles—to destroy and get gain—led to one member turning on the other. If all men were to so act, mankind would not survive (as happened with the Jaredites). Later when the Gadianton leader Giddianhi sought to conquer the Nephites he made this deceptive proposal: “Yield yourselves up unto us, and unite with us and become acquainted with our secret works, and become our brethren that ye may be like unto us—not our slaves, but our brethren and partners of all our substance” (3 Nephi 3:7). Mormon highlighted why this never could have been when he commented about these robbers: “There was no way that they could subsist save it were to plunder and rob and murder” (3 Nephi 4:4). The inherent contradiction with their philosophy is seen in the fact that if everyone joined their society there would be no one to rob and plunder and murder, thus meaning their way of life could not be preserved. Surely the Nephites could not have joined them as “brethren” like Giddianhi proposed because they were the ones the robbers needed to be there to be plundered and robbed.  

            As I thought about this idea of the categorical imperative, I also thought about the golden rule which certainly feels similar in principle. Kant apparently felt they were different because the golden rule—do unto others as you would have done unto you—depends on the content of the situation and is not universally binding. Even so, both suggest that in practice we should examine our actions from a point of view other than our own selfish interests; we should see look at the implication of our choices on others and the world around us. As I think about, I believe it is not the golden rule that is closest to this idea from Kant but it is rather the first great commandment given by Jesus: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” We know that from the Savior’s perspective this is even more important than the golden rule which is summarized in the second great commandment: “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matt. 22:37-39). To follow the first great commandment means that we always do those things that please the Lord; we seek to keep His divine law and live in a way consistent with His perfect nature. To love Him means that we would, as Jesus showed us, “do always those things that please him” (John 8:29). There is no higher measure to judge our actions than to see that they are in harmony with the Creator, that they are consistent with the will of Him who perfect in power and justice and mercy and knowledge. If all the world always did those things that please the Father, then all things would be in perfect harmony and would be consistent with all the laws of the universe. So to keep the first great commandment—seeking in each situation to understand what God would have us do and to do it—is indeed to live by the categorical imperative and act according to all universal laws.