Kant's View of Hedonism and the Categorical Imperative

Categorical Imperative and Hedonism
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Categorical Imperative and Hedonism
Hedonism indicates that pleasure remains the most critical pursuit of human beings, and hence the only thing suitable for a person. In hedonism, individuals strive to obtain the maximum pleasure, which is the net of pleasure, less any pain (Caruana, Glozer & Eckhardt, 2019). Hence, an action that results in maximum pleasure is viewed as the morally right one. Kant views hedonism as not a moral theory, and hence misleading. Against hedonism, Kant argues that if pleasure was the only motivation for actions, then humans will only be guided by instincts. This is because instincts only emerge to get pleasure as it the case with animals. However, individuals possess a reason, as opposed to instinct, hence their motivation supersedes pleasure.
Rather than the pursuit of pleasure, Kant offers an alternative that results in a will that is good in itself. The good is not for something else, like pleasure, rather it is exhibited when humans act for the sake of duty. People have to adhere to the Categorical impera...