Kant: Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals I. Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals A.

for Kant, morality and rationality are the same thing B. sets out fundamental principle(s) of morals II. Good Will A. only thing that can be called good without qualification Good Will / \ absolutely with qualification 1) talents of mind (intelligence, wit, judgment) good will 2) qualities of temperament (courage, perseverance) 3) gifts of fortune (power, wealth, honor) B. good will = good intentions C. good will is an a priori concept D. Definitions: 1. will = faculty of choosing the practically necessary good 2. a priori = 'from what comes before consequences deduced from principles that are assumed deductive reasoning from what is already known 3. a posteriori = 'from what comes after' propositions derived from observable facts inductive reasoning (from effect to cause) E. good will is good in itself, regardless of effects or consequences III. Duty A. Duty: the only motive that counts --doing an action strictly out of respect for moral law B. Duty v. Inclination 1. we should seek for our inclination and duty to correspond, but if it doesn't duty should/ought prevail 2. determining duty is a matter of reason (reason determines the form of the moral law) C. Argument for an Unqualifliably Good Will (Arg. against Utilitarianism) (1) biological organisms are the fittest and best adapted for the purpose they serve (2) humans are rational creatures (i.e., humans possess reason) (3) reason produces pain as well as happiness; (4) happiness must not be the real end of nature for a being possessed of reason and will; (instinct would be much better; instinct is a more fit for achieving happiness) (5) reason is meant to have influence on the will (6) therefore, reasons proper function must be to produce a will good in itself (as an end, not as a means) D. Types of Action: 1. actions contrary to duty 2. actions in accordance with duty, but with no immediate inclination (remote)

3. actions in accordance with duty, but with immediate inclination 4. actions in accordance with duty, but contrary to some immediate inclination E. Examples of Different Types of Duties: 1. not to lie 2. preserve one's life 3. be of help to fellow human beings 4. develop your skills and talents

IV. Propositions of Morality: 1. to have moral worth, an action must be done from duty (duty should always be on top of inclinations for action if the actions is to have moral worth) 2. the moral worth of an action done from duty lies not in the purpose to be achieved but in the maxim by which it is determined (moral worth does not depend upon the outcome) a. motive = inclination b. maxim = rule or principle one follows (moral worth depends upon this) c. purpose = ends to be achieved 3. duty is the necessity of an action done of respect for law a. [respect = Achtung = attention] b. that deserving respect is excellent; that deserving unqualified respect is that which is morally excellent V. The Categorical Imperative (strips morality of everything but form) A. never act in such a way that you could not will your maxim should be universal law B. if a maxim cannot be willed into universal law, it must be discarded C. Maxims 1. maxim = subjective principle of volition (personal rules for action) 2. maxims can be: a. less than universal (i.e., for the individual alone) b. universal (i.e., maxims that can have full universality in everyone's life) VI. Common Reason A. doesn't' think of morality so abstractly in its universal form, but the categorical imperative is the standard for our judgments B. in its practical concern, ordinary reason has as much hope as any philosopher of hitting the mark 1. philosophy is necessary because common reason can more readily be led astray 2. philosophy is needed to provide a ground for morality VII. Formulation of the Categorical Imperative A. Universal Law: Act as though the maxim of your action were by your will to become a universal law of nature B. End-in-Itself:

Act so that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or that of another, always as an end and never as a means C. Kingdom of Ends: [Autonomy] The will of every rational being legislates universal law VIII. Morality and Law A. acting according to the concept of law: --all nature works according to laws, but only humans can act according to the conception of laws (i.e., acting according to principles) B. will = faculty of choice ( a good will always chooses what the moral law commands) C. imperative = a command (imperatives are always expressed by 'ought') D. God 1. imperatives apply only to subjectively imperfect human will 2. for God, the 'ought' is an 'is'; for humans (God always chooses to do the right thing) IX. Imperatives A. Hypothetical--means to some end; good for some purpose (e.g., I dont smoke because Im concerned about my health; if I dont care about being healthy, this is not a reason for me to avoid smoking) B. Categorical--objectively necessary, without regard to any other end; no reference to purpose (e.g., I must tell the truth because the moral law commands truth-telling; it doesnt matter at all whether I want to tell the truth) X. The Worth of Moral Beings A. Value: 1. price = relative value; can be replaced by equivalent 2. dignity = intrinsic value; cannot be replaced by anything --each individual human being has absolute value B. morality alone is the condition which makes a rational being an end-in-itself (morality and humanity alone have dignity)