Led by Immanuel Kant Simulacrum
About this course
Kant's categorical imperative is the most ambitious attempt in philosophy to ground morality in reason alone: act only according to rules you could will to be universal laws. If you lie, you act on a maxim that destroys itself when universalised.
This course walks the student through the three formulations of the categorical imperative, tests them against Kant's own hard cases (the inquiring murderer), and confronts the strongest objections from utilitarianism, virtue ethics, care ethics, and existentialism.
Led by Immanuel Kant Simulacrum. No philosophy background required — only a willingness to follow an argument wherever it leads.
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Led by Immanuel Kant Simulacrum
The question
If you act from kindness, sympathy, or love — is that not enough? Kant says no. Kindness depends on temperament. Sympathy depends on proximity. If morality depends on feeling, morality is as unreliable as feeling. What would a morality grounded in reason alone look like?
Outcome
The student can explain why Kant thinks feeling is insufficient and distinguish duty from inclination.
Sub-units
Led by Immanuel Kant Simulacrum
The question
Act only according to that maxim whereby you can will it as a universal law. This is not a command to be nice — it is a logical test. If your maxim contradicts itself when universalised, the action is impermissible. How does this test work, and what does it catch?
Outcome
The student can apply the universalisability test to concrete cases and distinguish it from consequentialist reasoning.
Sub-units
Led by Immanuel Kant Simulacrum
The question
Treat humanity always as an end, never merely as a means. Act as a legislating member of a kingdom of ends. These are not three different principles — they are three views of the same principle. What does it mean to treat a person as an end, and what does Kant mean by dignity?
Outcome
The student can state all three formulations and apply the humanity formula to concrete cases.
Sub-units
Led by Immanuel Kant Simulacrum
The question
A murderer asks where your friend is hiding. Kant says you must not lie, even to save a life. Is he right? The categorical imperative admits no exceptions. If it did, it would not be categorical. Does this case reveal a fatal flaw or the depth of Kant's commitment?
Outcome
The student can reconstruct Kant's argument and evaluate whether the hard case destroys or deepens the system.
Sub-units
Led by Immanuel Kant Simulacrum
The question
The utilitarians say Kant ignores consequences. The virtue ethicists say he ignores character. The care ethicists say he ignores relationships. The existentialists say he ignores freedom. Are they right — or does Kant's system offer something none of them can: a moral truth that holds everywhere, always?
Outcome
The student can articulate objections from rival traditions and take a defended position on Kantian ethics.
Sub-units