Immanuel Kant

Kant: Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals 18th-Century German philosopher Worked on metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and aesthetics

The Good Will Nothing is an unqualified good except a good will

The Good Will Nothing is an unqualified good except a good will The goodness of the motive or principle is more important than the consequences

The Good Will Nothing is an unqualified good except a good will The goodness of the motive or principle is more important than the consequences To have a good will is to do one's duty not out of inclination, but for the sake of duty.

The Good Will Nothing is an unqualified good except a good will The goodness of the motive or principle is more important than the consequences To have a good will is to do one's duty not out of inclination, but for the sake of duty. Example: the two shopkeepers

The Good Will Nothing is an unqualified good except a good will The goodness of the motive or principle is more important than the consequences To have a good will is to do one's duty not out of inclination, but for the sake of duty. Example: the two shopkeepers Duty=the necessity of an act done out of respect for the law The moral law, not referring to legality

The Good Will Nothing is an unqualified good except a good will The goodness of the motive or principle is more important than the consequences To have a good will is to do one's duty not out of inclination, but for the sake of duty. Example: the two shopkeepers Duty=the necessity of an act done out of respect for the law The moral law, not referring to legality What is the moral law?

The Moral Law Hypothetical and Categorical Imperatives Imperatives are commands, or claims about what one ought to do. “All imperatives are expressed by a ‘must.’”

The Moral Law Hypothetical and Categorical Imperatives Imperatives are commands, or claims about what one ought to do. “All imperatives are expressed by a ‘must.’” Hypothetical Imperatives claim that a possible action is necessary as a means to the attainment of something one wants.

The Moral Law Hypothetical and Categorical Imperatives Imperatives are commands, or claims about what one ought to do. “All imperatives are expressed by a ‘must.’” Hypothetical Imperatives claim that a possible action is necessary as a means to the attainment of something one wants. A Categorical Imperative represents an action as objectively necessary, without regard to a further end.

The Moral Law Hypothetical and Categorical Imperatives Imperatives are commands, or claims about what one ought to do. “All imperatives are expressed by a ‘must.’” Hypothetical Imperatives claim that a possible action is necessary as a means to the attainment of something one wants. A Categorical Imperative represents an action as objectively necessary, without regard to a further end. Kant: Moral requirements derive from a single categorical imperative.

The Categorical Imperative The formula of universal law: “Act only on that maxim which you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law.” “Maxim” = a principle on which one acts.

The Categorical Imperative The formula of universal law: “Act only on that maxim which you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law.” “Maxim” = a principle on which one acts. The test is not whether one would want one’s maxim to be a universal law, but whether it would be consistent to will it to be so.

The Categorical Imperative Kant's examples A depressed man contemplates suicide. A man considers making a false promise. A gifted man considers not developing his talents. A flourishing man thinks about whether he should help others.

The Categorical Imperative Formula of Humanity “Act in such a way that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in any other person, always at the same time as an end, never merely as a means.”

The Categorical Imperative Formula of Humanity “Act in such a way that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in any other person, always at the same time as an end, never merely as a means.” Kant: This is equivalent to the formula of universal law.

The Categorical Imperative Formula of Humanity “Act in such a way that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in any other person, always at the same time as an end, never merely as a means.” Kant: This is equivalent to the formula of universal law. To violate either is to make an exception of oneself, which involves acting inconsistently and therefore irrationally.

The Categorical Imperative Kingdom of Ends – a conception of seeing others as rational beings worthy of respect