Critical Thomism And Kant's Categorical Imperative

Critical Thomism and Kant’s Categorical Imperative A Tract Book Essay By Anthony J. Fejfar, J.D., Esq., Coif © Copyright 2007 by Anthony J. Fejfar

While Critical Thomists base their Ethics on the Ethical Matrix, they base their morality upon a self decided upon scale of values under the Utility function of the Ethical Matrix. While Utility means, Maximization of Value, concretely, this finds expression in each individual selecting and then acting upon an individual scale of values. While some may base their morality upon an external

moral authority, the Critical Thomist does not. The morality of a Critical Thomist is based upon self chosen values. In this sense it is existential. As I have asserted previously, my morality, my self chosen scale of values, is as follows: 1. My Autonomy, that is, my Self Directedness. 2.

My Rational Self Interest, that is, what I rationally think is best for myself.

3. My Self Actualization, that is, my chosing to actualize, typically through work, those values which are most meaningful to me. 4. Helping others.

Now, some people, even some judges take as a litmus test of the validity of an ethical

or legal position, whether or not the position meets the requirements of Kant’s Categorical Imperative. For Kant, the Categorical Imperative tested whether or not a position could be Universalizable.

So, for me, and the Critical

Thomist, the question is would I wish that, ideally. everyone would choose the same scale of values that I have, i.e., for him, his autonomy, his Rational Self Interest, his Self Actualization, and his helping others. Rationally, I Tony Fejfar, do choose that everyone would choose the same scale of values that I have chosen, for him or herself. Thus, my morality position and scale of values passes the test of Kant’s Categorical Imperative.