A Kantian theory of prudence and the dualism of practical reason
In the first part of this thesis, I assume the background to Kant's theory of ethics and offer an interpretation of Kant's theory of practical reason to include a certain conception of prudential reasoning. K-prudential imperatives, based on the requirement of protecting one's own rational agency are shown to have all the features of categorical imperatives: they are not based on desire, they apply to all rational agents, and they are overriding. Anyone who accepts moral categorical imperatives ought also to accept K-prudential categorical imperatives. K-prudential imperatives are used to explain central parts of Kant's ethics, including duties to the self, based on the limits of what a rational agent can will. In the second part of the thesis, K-prudential imperatives are considered separately from the moral law, as derived from the formula of K-prudence ~Act only on those maxims which you can rationally will~. The formula of K-prudence is described, with particular emphasis on the requirement to protect one's rational agency, and is defended as part of the plausible theory of prudence. In the third part of the thesis, the consequences of recognizing that the K-prudential law is a rival theory of practical
Hills, A.
A Kantian theory of prudence and the dualism of practical reason. In the first part of this thesis, I assume the background to Kant's theory of ethics and offer an interpretation of Kant's theory of practical reason to include a certain conception of prudential reasoning. K-prudential imperatives, based on the requirement of protecting one's own rational agency are shown to have all the features of categorical imperatives: they are not based on desire, they apply to all rational agents, and they are overriding. Anyone who accepts moral categorical imperatives ought also to accept K-prudential categorical imperatives. K-prudential imperatives are used to explain central parts of Kant's ethics, including duties to the self, based on the limits of what a rational agent can will. In the second part of the thesis, K-prudential imperatives are considered separately from the moral law, as derived from the formula of K-prudence ~Act only on those maxims which you can rationally will~. The formula of K-prudence is described, with particular emphasis on the requirement to protect one's rational agency, and is defended as part of the plausible theory of prudence. In the third part of the thesis, the consequences of recognizing that the K-prudential law is a rival theory of practical
kantian theory dualism practical_reason first_part assume background kant_theory ethic offer_interpretation kant_theory practical_reason include certain conception reasoning imperative base requirement protect rational agency show feature categorical imperative base desire apply rational agent override anyone accept moral categorical imperative ought also accept categorical imperative imperative use explain central_part kant ethic include duty self base limit rational agent will second_part consider separately moral_law derive formula act maxims rationally will formula described particular_emphasis requirement protect rational agency defend part plausible theory third_part consequence recognize law rival theory practical