Q&A: The Categorical Imperative and Masochism
The Categorical Imperative and Masochism
Question
Could a person who enjoys suffering pose a challenge to the categorical imperative?
From his point of view, suffering is wonderful, and therefore there is no harm done to another person when he does that to him.
In short, is the categorical imperative parallel to “What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow”?
Answer
If he enjoys it, then he is not suffering. The phenomenon of suffering is psychological. Pain is not suffering if you enjoy it. The categorical imperative says that you are supposed to act in a way that will bring the world to the best possible state. If there is someone who loves pain, then you certainly may cause him pain, but not others. And he also cannot cause pain to others just because he enjoys it. If you adopt the claim that one should act in a way that maximizes pleasure in the world, the conclusion is that masochists should be given pain, while others should be given ordinary pleasure.