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Immanuel Kant's Groundwork Of The Metaphysics Of Morality

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Dimitris Lykouris, Katarina Mihaljević, Mats Lodenstijn Ethics (700211) hand-out seminar October 8th, 2014 Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals (1785) Immanuel Kant Introduction In this paper we will try to introduce the main idea as presented in chosen chapters of Kant's work. For better understanding, it is important to note that his line of argumentation does not start with main hypothesis which is further explicated, rather, Kant uses analytical a priori method (tries to see what follows from the concepts such as good will, duty etc.) and tries to establish the justification of Categorical Imperative. Nevertheless, we will start with the main hypothesis, from where we will turn to the main concepts and divisions behind it. Hypothesis …show more content…

Circumstances (other human beings) are to be treated as an end in themselves. Correctness of moral judgements rests on the notion whether it complies with CI which can be formulated: Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law. The notion of Good Will “It is impossible to conceive anything at all in the world, or even out of it, which can be taken as good without qualification, except a good will” (Kant, 1785) Notion of good will can be understood as without limitations if we try to compare it with other human qualities (talents of the minds, qualities of temperament, gifts of fortune) which, although good, are faced with limitations and miss-usage while good will, on the other hand, represents a good in itself. The notion of Duty Duties are the so called obligations of the good will. We can distinguish actions in three ways according to the notion of duty: • A person acts clearly without duty or in contrary to …show more content…

The hypothetical and categorical imperative Notion of imperative can be divided in hypothetical and categorical. Hypothetical imperative proposes an action as necessary merely because it serves as the means to attain the desired ends. It can vary from person to person and therefore, cannot be seen as a universal law. Important: • All human beings are striving towards attaining happiness as an ultimate goal. • Human beings are different and therefore their means and judgements are different. • In order to find a universal law of moral judgement, we have to employ our rational thinking, which is universal to all human beings. From this follows the categorical imperative which serves as absolute, unconditional law that entails that doing/omitting something would be good in itself (look up at good will, A/N). For example: you ought not to kill others. This imperative applies regardless of circumstances. Formulations of categorical imperative Categorical imperative can be formulated in various ways, by putting an emphasis

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