(not the magazine)!.
Am i correct in kind of equating it to the word "will"!? As in "will of thought"!?
I'm writing an essay about Kant and his Categorical Imperative (don't ask) and really can't get my head round it!.!.
Thanks!Www@QuestionHome@Com
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Position:Home>Philosophy> What is a Maxim?Question: What is a Maxim!? (not the magazine)!.
Am i correct in kind of equating it to the word "will"!? As in "will of thought"!? I'm writing an essay about Kant and his Categorical Imperative (don't ask) and really can't get my head round it!.!. Thanks!Www@QuestionHome@Com Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: A maxim is a "subjective principle of volition [the will]" for Kant!. (This is from Kant's Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals)!. The will is not a maxim!.!.!. a maxim is a subjective principle of the will, a principle given by yourself to yourself in which you act upon!. So isn't the will , but the will acts by a maxim!. So the categorical imperative "never act unless you can WILL that your maxim (subjective principle of volition) be a universal law for all!."Www@QuestionHome@Com Maxim, ethical: In general any rule of conduct which an individual may adopt, or which he may be advised to follow as a good guide for action, e!.g!., Descartes' maxim to try always to conquer himself rather than fortune!. The formulation of such rules is often recommended as a help in deciding what to do in particular cases, especially if time is short, in resisting temptation, etc!. Kant held (1) that each voluntary act proceeds according to a maxim or "subjective principle of action," e!.g!., in breaking a promise one has as one's maxim, "When it is to my advantage, I will make a promise and not keep it," (2) that one can tell whether an act is right or not by asking whether one can will its maxim to be a universal law!. http://www!.ditext!.com/runes/m!.htmlWww@QuestionHome@Com It's not the same as will - a maxim (in this context) is a principle we adopt for our actions, and we can will to act in accord with our own principles or not!. The maxim is a kind of policy we adopt, and it can be expressed in words, though we wouldn't generally repeat it to ourselves while we were acting!. I'm not sure what "will of thought" would mean!. The categorical imperative is different again, and is, according to Kant, the test of the morality of these maxims!. It's formulated in three different ways (as you've probably seen!.) It's worth trying to look at Kant's moral philosophy from the viewpoint of his whole philosophy!.Www@QuestionHome@Com A maxim is simply a statement, rule or law!. It has nothing to do with the will or will of thought!. Hope that helps~!Www@QuestionHome@Com A maxim is a saying or an adage!.Www@QuestionHome@Com If you cite Yahoo Answers in your essay, your maxim would be "Be Honest!."Www@QuestionHome@Com |