Book contents Show Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 June 2012
SummaryINTRODUCTION: THE MAIN TOPICS OF SECTION II Of the three sections of the Groundwork, Section II is by far the longest and most sweeping in scope. It is in this Section that Kant finally identifies the categorical imperative as the supreme law of morality. He discusses a number of different formulations of the law, and he explains the sense in which the law commands categorically. In addition, he considers various applications of the moral law. He indicates in a preliminary way how particular duties may be derived from it. Kant also sets out to deepen our understanding of the central character of Section I, the good will. He further clarifies the way in which the motivational ground of the good will differs from other motivational grounds. As we know, the good will acts from duty. In acting from duty, it allows the categorical imperative to govern its will. We learn in Section II that the categorical imperative is a law rational agents give themselves. Kant argues that rational agents are able to give themselves law in virtue of their remarkable capacity of self-determination or autonomy. DUTY IS NOT A CONCEPT OF EXPERIENCE (406–412) The first sentence of Section II reminds us of a central claim of the Groundwork, namely, that the concept of duty is not a concept of experience. We first encountered this claim in Kant's Preface. A “metaphysics” of morals is “indispensably necessary,” he asserted there, precisely because morality cannot rest on anything empirical (389). Type ChapterInformation Publisher: Cambridge University Press Print publication year: 2008 Access optionsGet access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.) What is Kant's purpose in writing the Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals?Kant's purpose for writing the Groundwork is not to tell us right and wrong, but to protect moral judgment from the influence of bad moral theory about the ultimate moral principle. Timmermann makes a helpful analogy comparing native language use to common moral judgment, and linguistic theory to moral theory.
What are Kant's 2 formulations?Kant's categorical imperative continues to hold an important place in moral philosophy today, and his two most lasting contributions are the Formula of the Law of Nature and the Formula of the End in Itself.
What are Kant's two moral laws?Here are two formulation of Kant's Categorical Imperative: CIa: Always treat persons (including yourself) and ends in themselves, never merely as a means to your own ends. CIb: Act only on that maxim that you can consistently will to be a universal law.
How long is the groundwork for the metaphysic of morals?A defining work of moral philosophy, Kant's Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals has been influential to an extent far beyond what its modest length (roughly 75 pages) might suggest. It is also a famously difficult work, concerned with propounding universal principles rather than answering practical questions.
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Kant groundwork of the metaphysics of morals section 2
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