Don't be such a Hypocrite

   

     While reading through Kant's Grounding for the metaphysics of morals, I found the categorical imperative very interesting. Basically there are three different formulations for the categorical imperative. He says that we are only truly free if we follow the categorical imperative. These command unconditionally as well. Kant says that an imperative is something that a person has to do do, and an imperative is categorical, because it is true at all times, and in all situations.

The three formulations summarized:

1. We should act with the same principles that we would want others to act with. We should act on laws that we ourselves would want as universal laws. 
2. When you act on principles that you would not want as a universal law, you are behaving in a way that you would not want others to copy. This violates the principle of reason.
3. Never treat other people as a way to get you your own ends. Ration beings are ends in themselves, and not respecting this would be following principles we would want as universal laws. 

     Kant could also agree that an ideal community or society, all citizens in the community or society are at once the creators and followers of all laws. In this idea community, the only possible laws are the laws that could apply to all rational beings. 

     So basically for this part of Kant's theory, he is saying don't be a hypocrite. If what you are doing doesn't meet the standards for what you say others should do, you are in bad shape. I agree with this. I think  if you say others can act a certain way or do certain things because it is wrong, you should do them either. If you are telling someone what is right or what is wrong, you know yourself, what is right or wrong. That means when you do something that you won't allow others to do, you are doing something wrong.