philosophy question?

[Neo]

According to Emanual Kant's philosophy, which of the following commands could be universalized?
a. always charge less for your product than your competiors
b. give all of your money to those that have less than you
c. always keep your promises
d. tell the truth when it's convenient to do so
one of these is the answer, and i know it the answer. so...if you can't be off assistance, why bother responding?

[BGrimey]

C. Is the answer.

Kants cathegorical imperative is easily understood if we ask the questions that will allow us to dechiper what kind of moral theory it is. In other words we need to find out "what" it is not "why" he believes in such and such. We only need to answer two questions to break down the theory completely.

Q. According to Kants cateogorical imperative "Universability" what makes (right....right,) and (wrong.....wrong?)
Q. Are ethical statements made true by the intent or effect of an action (X)?

What makes right, right and wrong wrong?

A. Kant believes that action (X) is ethical if it is caused by desire (Y), and desire (Y) has characteristics (A) and (B).
"Adding variables may look confusing but it simplifies the problem. What your trying to establish is the casual chain. "

A. "Simplified"
X=Moral action
Y= Desire of Good will
A= Act out of inclination
B.Motiveless. No motive.

Question 1 Answer - An action is ethical if the agents motivating desire to perform such act is good will, and the agent performs such action out of inclination "duty" with no ulterior motive.
I.e. We should do things because its the right thing to do. The act is an ends to itslef.

Question 2 Answer- Details from the first answer "Good will, acting out of inclination, no motive," makes it obvious that the "Intent" makes an action ethical.

Now that we know the answers to these questions its easy to determine if any said act is ethical, according to the theory.

A. May have desire Y but if does not have characteristic A or B. Money, the market, competoiors, make this action the effect of ulterior causes. Its not an end to itself

B. Satisfies desire Y and characteristic A, but not B.
The motive is to help anothers financial situation.

D. Is situational "convenient", consquently it fails to meet all requirements: desire Y, charac A and B.
Good will is not the desire behind the action, self interest is.

C. Always keeping ones promises is the fulfillment of moral duty. People do it because its a moral code they live by.

Hence, the desire to abide by said moral code is good will- desire Y, and a person is acting out of inclination(A) with no ulterior motive (B).

[dukefenton]

The Categorical Imperative directs that one should not assist cheaters; this admits of no hypothetical exceptions. Therefore, I cannot be of assistance to you.