Two formulations of Kant's Categorical Imperative (CI)

1. "Always act in such a way that you can will that the MAXIM behind your action should become a universal law."
2. "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."
   
   

How to Test a Maxim Using Kant's CI

1. STATE precisely the rule which you suspect may be a MAXIM in the case under scrutiny.
   
   
• Maxims are subjective, general principles that motivate and guide action.
• E. g., "Whenever I need money, I should make a lying promise to pay it back while borrowing it."
  
  
  
2. APPLY the Categorical Imperative (both forms) as a test.
   
   
1. UNIVERSALIZE the rule by restating it in a more general form:
   
   
• example: "Whenever anyone needs money, one should make a lying promise to pay it back while borrowing it."
  
  
2. CAN everyone/anyone follow the rule? YES or NO; if no, reject or revise it so that it passes this step.
   
   
3. WOULD you will that all follow this rule? YES or NO; if no, reject or revise it so it passes this step.
   
   
4. Does the rule RESPECT persons by not contradicting any perfect or imperfect moral duties to oneself and others? If YES, continue. If no, reject it or revise it (step 4 below) so that it passes this step.
   
   
   1. How does the rule preserve RATIONALITY? Are any humans deceived, misled or uninformed?
      
      
   2. How does the rule preserve AUTONOMY? Are any humans forced, coerced or used as a mere means to an end?
      
      
      
3. If the proposed rule passes the CI test, then it is a MAXIM obliging all to follow it. Now STATE it again, precisely.
   
   
   
4. If the proposed rule fails any part of the CI test, then it is NOT a maxim, however it may be that its denial is a MAXIM, so test the new rule starting at step (2) above.
   
   
   • "Whenever I need money, I should make a sincere promise to pay it back while borrowing it."
     
     
     

Test whether these maxims could be universal laws from Kant's Four Examples

• "Overcharge (beyond a reasonable profit) my customers for goods or services when I can."
  
  
• "When my situation really looks hopeless, like I will experience more pain than pleasure no matter what, I ought to kill myself".
  
  
• "Whenever I am not inclined to develop a talent or ability, and this refraining will not seriously undermine the social order, I may so refrain."
  
  
• "Whenever I am secure and independent, I should not bother to help others who are less so."