Final answer:
An action follows Kant's ideas of a perfect duty if it can be universally applicable according to the categorical imperative. Perfect duties are absolute moral obligations, which, if universalized, do not lead to contradictions or the breakdown of society. Kant's moral philosophy stresses that actions should be guided by rationality and the intrinsic value of good will.
Step-by-step explanation:
For an action to align with Kant's ideas of a perfect duty, it must meet the criteria of the categorical imperative, which is a cornerstone of Kant's moral philosophy. The categorical imperative can be understood through several formulations, but the essence is that one should "Act only according to that maxim whereby you can, at the same time, will that it should become a universal law". This is to say, before taking an action, consider if the rule guiding your action could be applied universally without contradiction or an undesirable outcome for a society of rational beings.
Perfect duties, according to Kant, are obligations that we must always adhere to regardless of our desires. Lying, for instance, contradicts a perfect duty because if everyone were to lie, trust in communication would collapse, rendering language meaningless. On the other hand, imperfect duties allow for some degree of interpretation and flexibility in their application. However, whether a duty is perfect or imperfect, the underlying imperative is that our actions must be justifiable as universal laws derived from rationality and the good will, which Kant prized above all.