Abstract
This work deals with Kant's understanding of the basis for moral actions taken from his work entitled "The Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysic of Morals." He believes that there is one criterion for moral obligation which he refers to as the "categorical imperative." A large part of this essay discusses the four ways in which this "categorical imperative" can be formulated.

From the Paper
"In presenting the one criterion for moral obligation, Immanuel Kant first rejects other moral traditions before his time: among them, the virtue theory, which bases morality on good character traits; and the consequential theory, which bases it on the consequences of actions. In response, he argues that moral actions are based only on a "supreme principle of morality," one that is objective, rational and freely chosen -- which he called the categorical imperative."

Tags:Kant, Categorical, Imperative, morality, obligation, objective, formula

Abstract
This paper agrees with Kant that the Categorical Imperative is very different from the Golden Rule. The author believes that the Categorical Imperative is clearly independent of the sentiment regarding the self; whereas, the Golden Role's moral strength comes directly from, and is dependent on, a sentiment regarding the self. The author concludes that the Golden Rule seems much more consistent with the irrational mess that is human morality and behavior and is an invaluable and simple tool for guiding moral decisions than is the Categorical Imperative.

From the Paper
"Kant himself more succinctly states his Categorical Imperative as "Act only on that maxim whereby thou canst at the same time will that it should become a universal law." Under Kant's Categorical Imperative, an action can only be considered moral if it fulfills three important criteria. First, the action must be judged to be universally acceptable. Second, the action must be judged to respect the dignity of persons. Finally, the judged action must be acceptable to rational people. Further, the Categorical Imperative must always be followed regardless of individual self-interest."

Tags:moral, sentiment, self, rational, acceptable

Abstract
This paper explains Kant's categorical imperative, and how it can create a system that can be utilized globally despite religious differences, while upholding the core values of Christianity. The writer lists some of the scandals that have plagued Merrill Lynch and then argues that by applying Kant's principles and formulating an ethical code to oversee all transactions based on Kant's categorical imperative, a stronger, more efficient, dependable company would emerge. A number of suggestions on how to effect this are provided, and the paper concludes by noting that Kant's principles can benefit any individual, corporation, or society.

From the Paper
"At the core of Kant's categorical imperative is the formulation that all humans should treat one another as an end and never as a means. Through the characterization of Christian principles, Kant turns out a system of ethics based on respect. All humans deserve respect and merit because they are all endowed with reasoning, free will, and thinking ability. If an individual values this reasoning in himself but not others, then he has undermined the principle all together; thus, creating a contradictory will. This theory by Kant asserts that reasoning is the same for all rational beings because it is self- recognized and internalized. The emphasis should be placed on Kant's choice of ''rational beings''."

Tags:fraud banker investment, Martha Stewart, Enron illegal mortgage

Abstract
This paper discusses the concepts of the hypothetical imperative and the categorical imperative in Immanuel Kant's "Grounding for the Metaphysics".

From the Paper
"The purpose of this essay is to examine Immanuel Kant's concept known as the determinate ground of any action, i.e. motive or maxim which is always presented in the form of a principle. Kant argued that everything in nature works according to laws, that the will is practical reason and that the determination of the will with respect to reason is necessary. In identifying principles on which action can be grounded, Kant distinguished between hypothetical and categorical..."

Tags:Immanuel Kant, Grounding for the Metaphysics

Abstract
This paper is centrally interested in the definition of "objectivity" in the work of E. Kant, particularly in relation to his first first and second formulations of the categorical imperative. This paper explores the conventional interpretation of the notion of objectivity, and then offers a modernized understanding of the term.

From the Paper
"This essay holds that the application of the first and second formulations of Kant's moral doctrine the categorical imperative the purpose of which is to determine the morality of human action can and must be applied in conjunction. When applied in conjunction, it is shown that the two formulations prohibit and enjoin the same actions for the same reason. First, this essay explores the conventional interpretation of the first and second formulations of the categorical imperative. After mentioning the primary fault of this interpretation namely, the confusion surrounding the interpretation of the terms "objective" or "objectivity" a new interpretation is suggested."

Tags:philosophy, Neptune, Kantian, euthanasia

From the Paper
"This paper will examine the third formula of Kant's categorical imperative by scrutinizing the four illustrations he uses to prove his point. The categorical imperative is an attempt at a formal law which, if followed, will dictate and result in moral action. In the third formula of the categorical imperative Kant states that one must: "Act in such a way that you always treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other, never simply as a means, but always at the same time as an end." According to Kant this rule should fit any moral situation and any situation which does not fit this formula cannot be moral. It is this contention - that he has found a set of absolute guidelines - which will be questioned.

As a means, for it will be shown here that they are not ends in themselves, of supporting his third formula Kant employs four ... "

Abstract
The paper explains that clinical psychology is centered on the processes of diagnosis and therapy, with disorders falling under a set of classifications, specifically, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The paper provides a brief background on the philosophical and academic development of clinical psychology to shed light on its impetus and primary objectives, and to highlight what distinguishes it from experimental psychology. The paper then addresses anxiety disorders, dissociative disorders, eating disorders as well as mood, schizophrenic and substance related disorders.

Outline:
Anxiety Disorders
Dissociative Disorders
Eating Disorders
Mood Disorders
Schizophrenic Disorders
Substance Related Disorders

From the Paper
"Clinical psychology focuses on the ways in which this responded to philosophical convention in equal part to its basis in science. Thus, clinical psychology is not just correlated to the academic advances of the field, but also beholden to what may be described as worthy humanist interpretations of man in intellectual history, evolving as consideration of these interpretations evolved with sociological change. Ellenberger provides the example that "whereas, in the eighteenth century, the prevailing myth was that of the "noble savage," of the vigorous, primitive man living in his forest and fighting for his freedom, there was now an inverted myth of a "corrupt civilized man," weakened and sophisticated." (Ellenberger, 282) The reflection of society has played a hand in our abilities to define ourselves.
"Though the future of clinical psychology would coincide with its commercial interests particularly with respect to the use of pharmaceutical treatment, its history is one very much founded in the above implied notion that the mind is not simply a part of the body but also a far more complex embodiment of an abstract entity that constitutes the psyche. Here, the unique stratification of impulses, its impossible to replicate individualities and its vulnerability to the conceits of its origin make the human mind a thing still beyond the empirical set of considerations which have sought to pigeonhole it."

Tags:anxiety, dissociative, disorders, anorexia, bulimia, mood, schizophrenia, substance, absue

Abstract
The paper first explains Kant's theory of universal law, and defines key concepts and terms. The paper then goes on to argue that Kant ignores conflicting duties and external factors in morality. This argument is supported by hypothetical examples and quotes from philosopher Thomas Nagel's book, "The Last Word".

From the Paper
"Human beings guide their actions by instincts and selfish desires. How could it be possible to act differently? The philosopher Immanuel Kant wrote The Foundation of the Metaphysics of Morals as a set of axioms [principles or postulates] that can be used in constructing moral laws based on the use of reason. Kant in his ethics takes his point of departure from the concept of good will: "nothing in the world can possibly be conceived which could be called good without qualifications except a good will." (Kant, 1959, p.9)"

Tags:autonomy, cant, ethics, evil, external, factors, foundation, foundations, good, goodness, law, maxim, metaphysics, moralist, morality, morals, nagel, philosophy, reason, theory, universal, values

Abstract
In this article, the writer notes that the traits of order and categorization, without which society cannot function, are especially prominent in the Victorian society in which 'The French Lieutenant's Woman' is set. The writer points out that the Victorian era is an outstanding example of when categorization was taken to the extreme, almost completely suppressing the socially and scientifically inexplicable instead of incorporating it into a system as had been done in religion and superstition. The writer discusses that Fowles' experimentation with the most fundamental elements of the Victorian novel (for instance with their endings) clearly indicates that he actually uses his image of Sarah to highlight the limitations he suffers in his own position as author with an equal weight. The writer notes that Fowles shows, through his exploration of the categorization of the individual and the external world, and his evasion of authorial convention, that the problems of excessive categorization are just as much of a problem for the author himself - not just the world around him.

From the Paper
"That which makes The French Lieutenant's Woman most radical and arguably post-modern, however, is that Fowles goes beyond the implicit existentialism of modernist literature and becomes directly self-reflexive. He tackles the idea of unnecessary categorization far more directly by exploring it in his own position as author. Fowles demonstrates this in his unwillingness to be limited by basic premises of narrative of the conventional novel. Interruptions to the narrative, denial of authorial omniscience, moving backwards and forwards in time as easily as in the imagination - these are all attempts by Fowles to avoid being pinned down. The Victorian crusade of categorization, it seems, was still evident in the need for a 'second wave' of feminism in the 1960s - excessive categorization, while already established as a problem by some Victorians, required a 'second' wave for the internalization of this change in attitude."

Tags:Victorians, order, Sarah, Woodruff, categorize

Abstract
In this article, the writer describes the paradox of categorization of emotion and affect. The writer offers solution to problems related to large-scale scale experimental research strategies.

From the Paper
"The Paradox of Categorization was identified by Lisa F Barrett as the paradox which occurs because people believe that they know an emotion when they see it and consequently tend to assume that emotions are nothing more than discrete events that can be recognized with some degree of accuracy. Scientists have yet to produce said Barrett a set of clear and most significantly perhaps consistent criteria for indicating when an emotion is present and when it is not. However in reality emotions ..."

Tags:paradox of categorization, experimental validity, emotion and affect