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How Does Kant Contribute To A Good Will

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Immanuel Kant gives an interesting argument to the foundations of practical reason and how it leads to a “good will”. According to Kant, to will is to find a means to an end, acting to gain some reward or satisfaction for individual desire. He discusses his moral principle of a good will as being the only thing that is “good without qualification.” It is good because of the act of willing itself, such as the act of saving someone’s life. This is good without limitation because it is promoting life and happiness. The aim of practical reason is to produce a will that is good in itself. Kant explains that there is a common understanding for acceptable moral behavior, but this is easily swayed by human desire for happiness. He believes that an action has moral worth only if it is done out of duty, without any self-inclination. The goodness of an act must come from its principle or intention. Kant states that a good will is to “act for the sake of duty” and duty does not serve …show more content…

He stipulates that moral principles cannot be determined from humans because there is always the possibility of corruption. Duty is not corrupted by humans because it comes before any human experience and is not judged on consequences. Duty is a moral principle that is created from pure reason free of human inclination. According to Kant, doing something out of good will means that it is only for the sake of duty. There is no emotional reward or pleasure from doing it because it was supposed to be done. Actions that stimulate a good will (duty) have universal moral worth; however, actions with the end of some reward whether it be emotional, physical, spiritual etc. have no moral worth. Kant believes that everyone must strive for the highest good, a combination of happiness and virtue. This is the goal for acting in accordance with duty without human

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