Final answer:
Kant's "universal law" formulation of the categorical imperative requires actions to be based on maxims that could become universal laws without contradiction, thus ensuring their moral permissibility. The universal law "test" involves checking if an action's underlying maxim is universalizable. Two examples Kant uses to illustrate this are false promising and neglecting one's talents, neither of which can be rationalized as universal laws.
Step-by-step explanation:
Explanation of Kant's "Universal Law" Formulation of the Categorical Imperative
The universal law formulation of the categorical imperative, as articulated by Immanuel Kant, is a cornerstone of deontological ethics. This formulation states: "Act only according to that maxim through which you can at the same time will that it become a universal law". Essentially, a person's actions should be based on maxims that could be universalized—applied to everyone without contradiction. For instance, the act of lying is considered immoral because if everyone lied, trust would erode, and the purpose of lying would be nullified.
Kant's Universal Law Test for Moral Permissibility
Kant proposes a "test" for the moral permissibility of an action. This involves examining whether the maxim underlying an action can logically and practically become a universal law without leading to a contradiction or an undesirable world for all rational agents. This is part of Kant's broader **deontological** ethic, where the morality of an action does not depend on its consequences but on whether it adheres to a universalizable rule or duty
Examples of Kant's Universalization Principle in Action
Kant provides several examples to illustrate the process of applying the universal law formulation, two of which are commonly discussed: false promising and neglecting to cultivate one's talents. He argues that the maxim of making a false promise cannot be universalized because it would contradict itself—the practice of making promises relies on the general trust that promises will be kept. Similarly, not cultivating one's talents cannot be a universal law because a society in which no one developed their abilities would be irrational and fail to thrive.