The cheat code to being a better person

In so far as reason, it is our greatest asset by which we can arrive at morality, for it is reason that distinguishes human beings from our fellow animal companions. For instance, we have the capacity to weigh our options and consider the consequences of our actions in the future, that is, something that doesn't yet exist; something beyond the immediate now. And that's a big deal.

As human beings, knowing between right and wrong is tricky. I mean, it's both easy and painfully difficult, depending on where you're standing. On one hand, we look to a higher power and follow the commandments of a creed or religion. To not steal. To not kill. To help our neighbor because the holy word of a divine parental figure says so. That's easy enough to follow in the sense that you have laid out before you what you must do, and what you must not, in so far as it aligns with scripture. On the other hand, for those cursed by the dissatisfaction that comes from blindly obeying simply because we're told to, and who dare demand that scripture and figures of authority be scrutinized, there is indeed certain pain ahead for those folks. Pain from facing the disapproval of those glaring, frowning eyes for questioning the unquestionable, and the pain from taking the lonesome and excruciatingly difficult path.

Whatever side you consider yourself to be on (or you’re a bit of both at times), we are lucky enough to have some aid in our exhaustingly difficult path in search of what is right and what is wrong. Good, and evil. And that aid comes to us as 3 formulations at the hand of the annoyingly genius, Immanuel Kant and his Categorical Imperative.

1. The Universality Imperative 

Yeah, I know. 

‘What the heck does that even mean?’

In simpler terms, before you go off and do whatever you’re about to do, stop and think, ‘Hey, what if everybody did this?’ It’s basically the world’s most exhausting ‘what if’ game, but Kant’s way of asking: Can this action be turned into a universal law?
Want to lie to your parents to get out of trouble? Great, now imagine a world where everyone lies whenever it’s convenient. And by everyone, I mean everyone. Yeah, it’s chaos. Trust goes out the window, and suddenly every promise, handshake, or "Pinky swear I’ll pay you back" means absolutely zilch.
Kant’s point is to get you to ask yourself,

Would I be willing to live in a world where everyone did what I’m about to do?
How would that world look like?

If what comes to mind is not a pretty picture, then don’t do it.

2. The Means Imperative 

Translation: don’t use people like they're tools to get what you want. Yes, we can’t help not treating people as a means to an end. We do it all the time in one way or another. Going out with friends because you’re bored? Your friends become the means to the end of easing your boredom. Got a bunch of trash to get rid of? The garbage truck and its crew become the means to the end of getting rid of your trash. And that’s okay. The key words in Kant’s formulation are “never merely”. Meaning that he knows that it’s impossible not to use each other as a means to some end, for we rely on each other as a society. Kant’s real beef here is when all we do is treat others as a means to an end.
Yes, it can be tempting, but Kant urges you to hold your horses. Humans aren’t vending machines where you insert manipulation and out pops what you need. We must aim to treat people—valuable, complex, with their own goals and desires, as ends in themselves. Kant argues that that’s because they are (or at least have the capacity to be) rational, just like you, which makes it different from using objects, since objects, like pencils, can’t reason. So, want to guilt-trip someone into doing you a favor? Congratulations, you’re using them like a wrench instead of respecting them as a fellow human. In other words, treat people like people, not stepping stones to your selfish ends.

3. The Kingdom of Ends (Autonomy)

Today, autonomy is often interpreted as the right to personal freedom, but Kant argues that true freedom comes from giving ourselves moral laws through reason, independent of external influences like consequences or desires. This is what he means by autonomy—self-legislation guided by rational duty, not personal freedom to act based on preferences or desires.

In Kant’s perfect world, we’re all autonomous, self-legislating moral beings, which means that every move we make helps create or further away this hypothetical ‘kingdom of ends,’ where everyone’s actions are based on rational laws, not preference, selfish desires, or emotional whims. It’s no ‘I’ll do it because nobody’s watching’, or ‘I’ll do this as long I don’t get caught’ nonsense. Every action you take contributes to a world where people do things because they’re right, not because they’re scared of consequences or lured by rewards.

Now, does this sound idealistic? Of course.
Is it impractical in a world where we’re often running on caffeine, 5 hours of sleep, and existential dread? Maybe. But, the thing is that Kant wasn’t interested in making things easier. He was interested in making them right. Yes, it’s a daunting task. But it’s a bit more tolerable when you think of yourself as “an indispensable vehicle of humanity’s moral progress”, as Kant pointed out. In other words, what you do truly matters, for everything you do has a ripple effect that goes far beyond what you can ever imagine. You’re a law-making member of the kingdom of ends, so be a good one.

So, next time you're in a pickle between right and wrong, think of Kant leaning back in his anti-dogmatic slumber chair, staring at you with disciplined eyes, and intellectually crossed arms.

‘Would you be willing to live in a world where this is a universal law?’ he asks.
‘Are you acting out of a sense of duty, simply because it’s the right thing to do, or just because you want something in return?’

The answers might not make life simpler, but your contribution to making the world one you’d like to live in will make you a better human. And I salute you for that.