An Examination of the meaning of Categorical Imperative Formulas and Relation between them in Kant's Moral Thought

The Categorical Imperative is the normative expression of Kantian Ethics and it is the supreme principle of morality for unholy beings. In Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals, Kant introduces several characterizations of the Categorical Imperative. Kant’s commentators have no agreement on how many characterizations Kant has indicated, on which characterization plays a basic role, and whether Formulas are equivalent or not. The consequence of this paper is that though five versions are presented as characterizations of the Categorical Imperative or the Supreme Principle of morality, one of these characterization is the main expression, but the other four versions he introduces, in his view, would be equivalent and all of which would have a similar meaning according to the concept of "otherness as a rational subject" and together would propose the same system of duties. In this regard, it will be shown that not every version is to be used separately, but that all versions should be used together to understand each duty, and that each characterization can shed new light on duties of moral subjects.