The Philosophy of Kant

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses Kant's belief that the only possible association with the truly good is that of a good will. The paper examines his ideas of innate laws of nature, morality and philanthropy. The paper is of the opinion that Kant's works are outstanding since they rely on the principle association of the individual as the driving force behind all actions of good will and this can be any individual, not just a learned one.

From the Paper:

"Some examples Kant gives of the kinds of values that precipitate a good will but are not determinate of it are: "Moderation in emotions and passions, self-control and calm deliberation." Kant is careful to express that such characteristics are not only valuable but that they, "are...good in many respects [and]...even seem to constitute part of the intrinsic worth of a person." (7) They are not however according to Kant unconditional and therefore do not determine good will. "A good will is good not because of what it effects or accomplishes, nor because of its fitness to attain some good purposed end; it is good only through its willing, i.e. it is good in itself." (7) Kant goes on to say that when such a will is found it should be venerated above any thing that it might effect in its actions. The universal maxim given by Kant is "I should never act except in such as way that I can also will that my maxim should become a universal law." (14) The source of such as universal law must then be those innate in the good will of man that guide moral reasoning without concern for the outcome but as a result of the knowing and allowing the universal law to guide all moral reasoning."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Kant, Immanuel, Grounding of the Metaphysics of Morals, in Philosophy of Material Nature trans. James W. Ellington. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing, 1985.

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