(855) 4-ESSAYS

Type a new keyword(s) and press Enter to search

Maxims

            
             Maxims play an important role in making decisions. Some think that all decisions ought to be made by maxims and that any certain maxim should never be broken. For this to be possible the maxim would have to be perfect which is almost impossible. This is why it is possible for an action to be considered morally good although it is not based on a maxim or principle. The first reason why this is true is because of the precedence of inclinations. Before any maxim can be formed an inclination must take place. After this inclination occurs which provides one with several reasons, a maxim can finally be made. This maxim should be well thought out and since it was formed from inclination, then reason, it should be morally correct. This is to say that all maxims are originally created from inclinations. This is where the problem lies. What if an inclination is simply different in a familiar situation where a maxim is already set? Should one act on the predetermined maxim or act after using reason on the inclination and making a new maxim for that different inclination in that same situation? The latter is the necessary way to act, but this too causes all sorts of problems. Making a new maxim can be difficult and require a good amount of reasoning. No new maxim can be made without giving it adequate time to solidify. Even one weak maxim can be extremely detrimental.
             Consider the example of a drowning woman. Now considered the preconceived maxim that someone should help anyone in need as long as it doesn't endanger their own well-being. A man sees a woman drowning and has to make an instantaneous choice. His principle is to help, but he is small and not a strong swimmer. The woman may also be pregnant. Time is of the essence and he knows that he is at incredible risk, but the fact the woman is pregnant pushes the man to try to save her on his inclination. He doesn't have enough time to reason properly, and even so, she is pregnant.


Essays Related to Maxims

1. kant

... we reconcile this? Each of these propositions involve a "concealed reference- to ends. As Caird puts it "it is not the case that maxims of such acts are contradictory when universalized, so much as they are contradictory with a certain presupposed order in the life of rational beings. Lying ... of a law of nature, because such a will would contradict itself."" ..gr.p.91 In this latter passage Kant seems to be referring to maxims which have a logical contradiction within them. While the examples of promise keeping and suicide do seem to have a logical contradiction within them when unive...

  • Word Count: 3272
  • Approx Pages: 13
  • Has Bibliography

2. Kantian Morality

... way the actual situations are presented and the way in which they are handled. But despite these exceptions, the process Kant describes of converting maxims to universal laws to test their moral permissibility serves, in general, as a useful guide to and system of ethics and morality. The Kantian ... it seems at least somewhat possible to lessen the objection by taking a closer look at the situation, perhaps by changing or reexamining the maxims behind it. An example of one of these moral duties not derived entirely from the Categorical Imperative is that of the "rugged individualist" wh...

  • Word Count: 1066
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: High School

3. Immanuel Kant and Free Will

... the only principle of morality (the only categorical imperative), we are entitled to expect that it determine the principles of morality uniquely. Since, if it leaves multiple incompatible sets of maxims open (we will have no basis for choosing among them), then there being no other principles of morality on which to base the choice besides categorical imperative. Assume that a person ... imperative cannot tell what is moral or not because it doesn't really tell us what actions to perform. Instead of this, it can tells us which maxims to fit acting morally. CI applies a test on maxims t...

  • Word Count: 1984
  • Approx Pages: 8
  • Grade Level: High School

4. Mao Zedong

... and tiger, Terrill calls it. Resembling a yin and yang that is deeply embedded in Chinese thought. This balance which is professed in one of his maxims " walk on two legs ," born enlightenment through the gun. Terrill aims to the mark of China's political instability and fractured regional warlord regimes that controlled ... Mao seems to start as a young ideological Marxist. Then as his power is secured he is more of a Lenist. The way he rules by his maxims later forms a Maoist thought unique to Chinese communism. Later during his rule, as his power wanes under that of the PLA, Lin Biao...

  • Word Count: 1967
  • Approx Pages: 8
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

5. Human Freedom As The Basis Of Morality

... and we are not imposed what we must do. Feeling of obligation cannot be derived from our experiences with objects because in our relationships with objects we use our subjective maxims and it cannot be raised to a moral universal law. Moral law determines our will and reason is the ground for determining our will. Moral law is finding out what among ... . When we will something and transfer it into action, the principle that determines our will is only valid for us. Kant calls these kinds of principles maxims. There is no consensus among maxims. We always start with maxims whenever we wi...

  • Word Count: 1252
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Grade Level: High School

6. Normative Ethics

... maxim is "a subjective principle of volition" or in other words how an individual is going to act in a their situation (Kant 17). Maxims are usually stated; whenever I am tired, I shall sleep. However for the purpose of the Categorical Imperative, maxims must be generalized applying to all. So whenever I am tired, I shall sleep, becomes whenever anyone is tired, he or she shall sleep ... . The maxims are used by Kant to describe how an individual acts in their situation, and the generalized maxims are used show how all people should act in the situation. Next, the word imperative means a...

  • Word Count: 2081
  • Approx Pages: 8
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

7. Kant

... most situations. Some exceptions do exist, but are well out down by the ones that do occur in every situation. But despite these exceptions, the process Kant describes of converting maxims to universal laws to test their moral beliefs. This provides us with a useful guide and a system of ethics and morality. The Kantian Theory of Ethics relays upon the concept of ... action is universally permissible in all instances. In fact, parts of the theory even say that it is one's moral duty to act on these universalizable maxims, and that people should only act on those maxims that can be unive...

  • Word Count: 886
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: High School

8. Due Process in Criminal Proceedings.

... stated that "due process of law in each particular case means such an exertion of the powers of government as the settled maxims of law permit and sanction, and under such safeguards for the protection of individual rights as those maxims prescribe for the class of cases to which the one in question belongs. Where doubt exists, law and government are encumbered ... true that "due process of law in each particular case means such an exertion of the powers of government as the settled maxims of law permit and sanction, and under such safeguards for the protection of individual rights as t...

  • Word Count: 3780
  • Approx Pages: 15
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

9. Maxim Ethics: Plato's Rules To Obtain The Good Life

Maxim Ethics: Plato's Rules to Obtain the Good Life Plato describes ethical maxims through stories, parables, and examples in the Republic. The people that are used as examples throughout the Republic are segregated into three groups: gold, which are the rulers of the ... city, silver, which represent the guardians, and bronze which signify the commoners. All the people of the city have their maxims or conducts of living to have the good life. They all have wisdom, courage, moderation, and harmony. Each class in some way uses each of these to achieve living the ... leader, fighting by spirit...

  • Word Count: 628
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

Got a writing question? Ask our professional writer!
Submit My Question