Overview
This lecture covers key ideas from Kant's "Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals," focusing on the categorical imperative, autonomy of the will, and Kantian ethics.
Kantian Ethics Framework
- Kant’s ethical theory is based on reason, not consequences or emotions.
- Morality must apply to all rational beings equally and necessarily (universalizability).
- Moral laws are a priori—known through reason, not experience.
The Categorical Imperative
- The categorical imperative commands unconditionally: act only according to maxims you can will as universal laws.
- If you act on a rule you wouldn’t want everyone to follow, you act irrationally and immorally.
- The humanity formulation: always treat humanity, in yourself and others, as an end, never merely as a means.
Hypothetical vs Categorical Imperatives
- Hypothetical imperatives: "If you want X, you ought to do Y"; they depend on personal desires.
- Categorical imperative: commands universally, independent of personal goals.
Good Will and Duty
- Good is determined by reason, not by what feels agreeable.
- We act morally when we follow reason, even against personal inclinations.
- Duty is the necessity to act according to the moral law.
Universal Law and Examples
- Suicide, lying promises, neglecting talents, and failure to help others all fail the universalizability test.
- Immoral acts involve making exceptions for oneself, which is irrational.
Autonomy, Will, and the Kingdom of Ends
- Moral autonomy: the will legislates moral law for itself via reason (self-governing), not from outside authority (heteronomy).
- Rational beings are ends in themselves and form the "kingdom of ends," a community governed by mutual respect for rationality.
Practical Law & Maxim
- A maxim is a subjective principle guiding action; a law is objective and universal.
- The will is the capacity for self-determined action according to moral law.
Analytic vs Synthetic Propositions
- Analytic propositions: predicate contained in the subject (e.g., "All bachelors are unmarried").
- Synthetic propositions: predicate adds information not contained in the subject; categorical imperatives are synthetic a priori.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Categorical Imperative — Unconditional moral law: act only on maxims that could be universal laws.
- Hypothetical Imperative — Conditional directive: act if you desire a certain end.
- Maxim — The principle or rule guiding an individual's action.
- Autonomy — Self-legislation of moral law through reason.
- Heteronomy — Being governed by external forces or authorities.
- End in Itself — Treating rational beings as having intrinsic worth.
- Kingdom of Ends — The ideal community where all treat each other as ends in themselves.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Begin working on your final papers (details in the last module).
- Ask questions if any Kantian concepts remain unclear.