Final answer:
Immanuel Kant's ethical theory posits that moral actions are based on universalizable maxims called categorical imperatives, arising from duty and good will rather than consequences.
Step-by-step explanation:
Immanuel Kant's Ethical Theory:
The Enlightenment philosopher Immanuel Kant argued that humans should create ethical codes based on reason, which would lead to societal improvement. These ethical codes, termed categorical imperatives, are universal maxims that we would want everyone to follow in every situation without exception. For Kant, actions are moral only if they can be universalized, a concept embedded within his famous categorical imperative: 'Act only according to that maxim whereby you can, at the same time, will that it should become a universal law.' This implies that one should only perform actions that could be applied as a general law for everyone.
Kant emphasizes that morally praiseworthy acts are done out of a sense of duty, not for anticipated consequences. The good will, which is the decision to carry out our moral duties, holds unconditional value in his ethics. Kant also distinguishes between perfect duties, which are obligations we should always adhere to, and imperfect duties, which are not always obligatory but should guide our conduct towards others.
The Categorical Imperative and Moral Judgments:
Kant formulated several versions of the categorical imperative to serve as tests for whether our actions conform to moral law and reason. The core idea is that our duty is to act in ways we would want others to act in similar circumstances. This approach puts a clear emphasis on intentions and the nature of the action itself, rather than the consequences that may arise.