"Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals" Discussion Questions

Immanuel Kant
  1. What is the difference between a hypothetical and categorical imperative? Give examples for each.
  2. How can someone use the Formula of Universal Law to decide whether a particular maxim is permissible to act on?
  3. What is a “kingdom of ends”?
  4. What is the significance of the fact that humans are ends in themselves, for Kant?
  5. Why doesn’t Kant think we can investigate the possibility of the categorical imperative through the use of examples? Can we investigate the possibility of hypothetical imperatives this way? Why/why not?
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