Introduction
The moral philosophy exemplified in categorical imperative theory explores the value of motivation for peoples’ actions based on pure reason. Moral judgment is a categorical imperative which decides the basis for reason. The capacity to know under different circumstances helps human beings to interact for the moral good of society (White, 2008). My faith as a catholic has taught me to appreciate others and help those in need since this is the right thing to do. Pure practical reason appreciates all human beings as equal before God who commands people to love one another unconditionally. Human rights and equality are the central pillars of my categorical imperative for moral judgment.
Freedom and autonomy
According to the categorical imperative theory, human beings are rationally self-conscious (Banner, 2009). An independent human being refrains from that which does not please him/her while he/she consciously pursues personal desires. The choice of action is another imperative which guides my lifestyle based on the doctrines of the Bible as a mother and housewife. My choices are determined by personal desires in life and wishes. I believe that choices should be based on faith and pure reason. Pure reason should be inclined on the substance of the matter and pure will for common good. Actions are physically manifested by an individual’s rational preferences and perception for moral value.
Rationality is expressed through recognition for moral duty to act in good faith and self will (White, 2008). The moral content for our actions is imperative of the faculties of desire and good will. Our actions should be coherent and universal in nature. Moral content for peoples’ deeds should be consistent with universality and devoid of illogical reasoning. Contradiction between thought and action undermines the moral value of reason and deeds. Logical contradictions in peoples’ actions go against the perfect duty of mankind as a responsible steward of God’s creation (Banner, 2009).
Criminals obtain the justifications to steal from a logical contradiction that property should be acquired by all means including force. They do not regard legitimate and legal means of acquiring property as genuine enough to warrant hard labor. In response to this distorted belief about life, thieves kill, maim and rob in order to become rich without being rational about the consequences of their actions. Essentially, theft among other crimes is a contradiction of an individual’s conscience and moral duty. Crime is therefore an imperfect duty which arises from irrational thinking and contradiction of moral law. I believe that rational human beings are in a position to influence change of behavior among wrongdoers based on the premise that they can transform willfully their perceptions and mindsets on life issues.
Human beings are universally created in the image of God but their actions are not exactly similar. The popular belief of “the end justifies the means” is perceived to justify peoples’ deeds (White, 2008). The final outcome for a particular action justifies the process preceding it irrespective of consistence with moral laws. This notion corrupts the principle of perfect duty and imperfect duty as far as the categorical imperative to moral value and logical reasoning is concerned. The process through which an end goal is achieved should conform to moral values and avoid logical contradictions.
Categorical imperative in life
Deception
Categorical imperative is consistent with universal action based on honesty and truth. However, deception is conceived to hide the truth temporarily in order to achieve short-term gain. For instance, a person borrows money from a friend with the intention of not returning back. According to the principle of universal action, the lender having suffered such a loss would not be willing to give out money again on credit. The right to deceive lies with the borrower while the person being deceived is an end in himself from the context of the debt situation. The lender should be in a position to anticipate failure of the borrower to honor his pledge on the debt in the context of the difficulty which prompted the debt situation (Banner, 2009). Lending the money is based on the moral principle of helping those in need but the alleged deception by the borrower is a contradiction of logical reasoning.
Theft
Theft contradicts the principle of perfect duty since a thief obtains an item without owner’s consent. In most cases, people do not give out their property to a stranger or even a friend without prior consent between the owner and a second party. However, theft occurs even in situations where prior consent is sought. The anticipated consequences of theft are normally hidden behind the good will of the owner and trickery of the thief disguised as a person in need.
Suicide
Suicide is a consequence accumulated despair in life as a result a series of misfortunes which prompt an individual, out of self-love, to take his/her life as a duty to himself/herself. Suicide is the ultimate choice for a frustrated person whose future also appears unpredictable. The sequences of events that lead to suicide are characterized by despair, isolation, misery and hopelessness (White, 2008). Every human being has a right to independent choice in accordance with universal law of nature. This supreme principle in life renders one guilty of suicide since life is ordained by God. No one created self. Human beings are the most treasured possession of God.
The source and end of life is God. God provides the inspiration for furtherance of life in the hope that misfortunes can change if one has faith in God. Suicidal tendencies generate from a negative attitude in life which transcends into despair as one becomes sick of misfortunes in life (Banner, 2009). Every human being is responsible for their actions and thoughts in life. The supreme principle of all duty and the facet of perfect duty demand that one can appreciate others only if he/she values themselves. According to the commandments of Jesus Christ, people can only love their neighbors if they love themselves. It is out of the abundance of self-love that one can love and take care of a neighbor. Suicide is therefore a consequence of fear, anxiety and self-hatred.
Laziness
The categorical imperative also explores laziness as “failing to cultivate one’s talents” (White, 2008). People are brought up in different backgrounds which eventually contribute towards their achievement in life. Individuals who come from affluent backgrounds tend to relax and enjoy the pleasures of life accessible to them. As such, they fail to cultivate their talents which could bring more prosperity in life. Talents are therefore wasted in the imperfect duty of enjoying life in luxury. A rational being is a responsible steward who cultivates God-given talents fruitfully.
Charity
Another universal concept of the categorical imperative rests with charity. People who possess more than others respond to the law of nature by extending gifts out of charity to the poor. In doing so, they do not expect to be given back anything in exchange of their charitable works and good will. My faith has taught me to help disadvantaged persons in my neighborhood not necessarily because I am rich but out of sympathy. I am compelled out of self-will and love for children to support children homes financially. I consider this an act of worship and a commandment from God. According to doctrines of the Bible, helping the poor particularly orphans and widows is considered “lending to God” (Banner, 2009). In response to my faith which demands that true Christians must show their faith in genuine actions, I find myself eligible to support charity organizations which accommodate orphans and widows in society. Being a mother and housewife, I have a lot of time taking care of my children. I am therefore challenged to extend the same love to orphaned children in society.
Cruelty to animals
The same compassion human beings express to each other should be extended to animals. Rational beings created by God are obliged to treat animals in a rational manner. Cruelty to animals contradicts the intrinsic moral content of human beings being stewards of God’s creation (White, 2008).
Current position
I am dedicated to charity work and offering guidance and counseling to teenagers in my church. I am practicising catholic mom who spends most of time at home taking care of my family. I believe that children need parental guidance and mentorship in order for them to grow up as responsible citizens (Banner, 2009). I was personally brought up by God-fearing parents who were always there for me during good and difficult times. My mom was also a friend to me and a mentor too. I believe that love and belonging are important social needs for any human being despite of age. I am therefore optimistic that children need parents or guardians who can guide them as they grow up in life particularly during their adolescence. I was a victim of teenage pregnancy as a result of peer pressure from my pals who introduced me to a boyfriend during my high school days. It was cool then to hang out with comrades in the same age group and partying. I love people. As such, when I met this “hot guy” who promised heaven in the midst of my friends, I thought the relationship could add value to my life. Things were smooth and promising until I discovered I was not having my periods anymore. I tested positive to the pregnancy test.
Having being brought up from a Christian background and parents with a holier-than-thou attitude, the pregnancy spelled doom in life (Banner, 2009). The group I socialized with provided the justifications for what mattered at that particular time. Life was unbearable without friends around leading to group psychology behavior. However, my parents, having an understanding of the developmental stage I was undergoing at that time, sought offer remedial guidance and counseling for my emotional wellbeing. My interaction with my parents helped me forgive myself for the teenage pregnancy which temporarily interfered with my studies for two years. The moral support I obtained from close family friends and peers helped get me out of the situation without much emotional pain and the usual stigma from society.
My parents held detailed discussions with my boyfriend’s parents which resolved that we continue with education for purposes of career development. If it wasn’t for the moral and financial support of our parents and genuine friends, I and my husband (who impregnated me then) could not be married by now and in a stable relationship (White, 2008). Adolescence was such a challenging period during my growth and development due to the complexity of issues which challenge teenagers ranging from peer pressure, self indulgence and substance abuse. Most of my teenage friends experimented on life issues which led to permanent consequences in life. For instance, some of friends, on noticing that I was scared about the pregnancy suggested abortion. Those who procured abortions from backstreet clinics suffered permanent barrenness due to severe damage of their reproductive organs through faulty medical procedures conducted by quack doctors. The sorrow of infertility and miseries associated with it are indeed more than the short-lived pleasures of their teenage years in high school.
The moral principle behind these unfortunate events is not in the tale of the story but the hidden repercussions of self indulgence, peer pressure and substance abuse associated teenage adolescence and biological puberty which is normally not known to young people. The moral of the story is that I came out of my adolescence life a stronger and mature person. Young adults have a choice to have fun and hang out with their peers. However, the categorical imperative of the need for socialization lies in the moral outcomes that characterize the choices (Banner, 2009). Universal law states that biological puberty is an important growth phase during human development. The fact that adolescence is normal does not warrant unethical and immoral behavior associated with it in many circumstances. The role of role models and mentors is important in shaping behavior and emotional wellbeing of young people during adolescence. It is regrettable that teenagers are normally elusive to the supervision during this critical period. Peers become more important than parents and even teachers. Advice and counsel is resisted as the drive to discover oneself and explore the unknown world takes control of teenage minds. Young people are usually at their best in terms of physical energy and capacity to explore extreme thoughts as part of adventure in life (Banner, 2009).
Current ethical preference
Having observed the changing patterns of growth and development in life, I am convinced that as a mother, I need to offer advice to young people particularly those in their teenage years to observe moral values in their life. I have devoted my Christian life in the church helping girls who have become victims of teenage pregnancies and social machinations associated with biological puberty to recover from the underlying social stigma and resume their studies. Teenage pregnancy is attributed to a significant proportion of girls dropping out of school. Due to lack of support from society, most of the teenage girls who drop out of school end up as social misfits either as prostitutes or single mothers who cannot provide for their family adequately because they do not possess necessary credential for gainful employment (White, 2008). Children brought in single families where the only parent is the mother who is too young to guide them on various issues in life are more likely to engage in delinquency and criminality.
Conclusion
Rationality in peoples’ actions is determined their moral judgment in decision making. Unfortunately, teenagers find it difficult to make right choices particularly in choosing friends. Peer pressure is a consequence of a teenagers getting enticed to act and behave in a similar fashion with boys and girls of the same age group. The irony of the matter is that most these decisions contradict logical reasoning since they may not add value to their lives at all. The only premise why they act or behave in a particular manner is that their peers behave the same way. Later in life, most of them regret their actions and interactions during teenage years. Life is shaped by the sum total of all decisions one has made from childhood (White, 2008). Rational thinking and moral judgment are therefore fundamental pillars for the development of a whole person who can support self and others in life.
Reference list
Banner, M. C. (2009). Christian Ethics and Contemporary Moral Problems. London: Cambridge University Press.
White, J. E. (2008). Contemporary Moral Problems. New York: Cengage Learning.