Kantian Ethics and Christian Ethics

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Kantian Ethics and Christian Ethics
Immanuel Kant the founder of the "Categorical Imperative" (CI) argues that morality is based on standards of rationality. Therefore, to act in disaccord with the CI is to act irrationally or immorally. In comparison to Christianity, to act immorally is to act in disagreement with God's laws. Kant's CI is formulated into three different ways, which include: The Universal Law Formulation, The Humanity or End in Itself Formulation, and The Kingdom of Ends Formulation (Stanford) . The first to formulas combine to create the final formulation. Christianity closely relates to each formula, except for the final formulation. Christianity provides context where following the CI will not result in moral behavior. There are two factors missing from Kant's CI: faith and God's judgement.
The Universal Law of Formulation is described as " Act only on that maxim through which you can at the same time will that it should be a universal law of nature" (Kantian Ethics). In simpler terms, act in a way which everyone would act in a similar situation. Let us compare maxims to commandments. Maxims are rules or principles in which you act, versus a commandment is a divine rule which you follow. The difference is minimum, but the context is similar. The first law corresponds to one of the greatest commandments in God's law. In Matthew 22:36-2240, Jesus tells us "Though shalt love thy neighbor as thyself" (King James). The alikeness between the two is the universal application in both. In all situations, even your own, you should act in accordance to the Universal Law of Formulation, which could be God's law. In Exodus 20 1:17 Moses receives God's 10 commandments or universal laws. Therefore, Kant explains why act...

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...ue morality. Resulting in God's will being separate from humanities' will.
Kant's Categorical Imperative is not enough to find universal laws of morality. The three formulations are a adequate start, but there are still factors missing. Christianity does not completely give all the answers to morality, but does give more satisfying answers. The world is constantly changing and very hard to predict, thus priori universal laws are extremely difficult to create. There are new dilemmas created each day, each needing someone or something to judge these new scenarios. We can try to comprehend issues of morality, but true morality can only be decided by a higher power. There are always going to be controversial issues. Sometimes these issues are split right down the middle in human judgment. When humans cannot decide, or the CIT test fails, God would know the true answer.

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