Kant's 'Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals': A Critical GuideJens Timmermann In his Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, Immanuel Kant portrays the supreme moral principle as an unconditional imperative that applies to all of us because we freely choose to impose upon ourselves a law of pure practical reason. Morality is revealed to be a matter of autonomy. Today, this approach to ethical theory is as perplexing, controversial and inspiring as it was in 1785, when the Groundwork was first published. The essays in this volume, by international Kant scholars and moral philosophers, discuss Kant's philosophical development and his rejection of earlier moral theories, the role of happiness and inclination in the Groundwork, Kant's moral metaphysics and theory of value, and his attempt to justify the categorical imperative as a principle of freedom. They reflect the approach of several schools of interpretation and illustrate the lively diversity of Kantian ethics today. |
Contents
Alison Hills | 29 |
inclination reason and moral worth | 45 |
the role of examples in Kants ethics | 63 |
The moral law as causal | 82 |
Dignity and the formula of humanity | 102 |
metaphysical not political | 121 |
Kant against the spurious principles of morality | 140 |
Groundwork III | 159 |
Kants argument in Groundwork III | 176 |
Freedom and reason in Groundwork III | 203 |
| 224 | |
Other editions - View all
Kant's 'Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals': A Critical Guide Jens Timmermann Limited preview - 2009 |
Kant's 'Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals': A Critical Guide Jens Timmermann No preview available - 2013 |
Common terms and phrases
absolute worth act in accordance action anthropology argues autonomy Cambridge University Press categorical imperative causal law cause character Christine Korsgaard claim conflict Cp VV CpVV Critique of Practical CrVA derive desires determined difficult dignity discussion duty empirical end-in-itself examples faculty final find first formula of humanity FULN G IV Gellert ground happiness heteronomous hypothetical imperatives idea Immanuel Kant impartiality inclination influence intelligible world interpretation IQznt’s Jens Timmermann judgement justification Kant says Kant’s argument Kant’s Ethical Kant’s Groundwork Kant’s moral Kantian kingdom of ends lectures maxim means merely Metaphysics of Morals moral law moral philosophy moral sense motive normative noumenal object one’s ourselves possible principle of morality priori pure practical reason Pure Reason question rational agents rational nature reflection Religion representation requirement Schonecker second Critique Section sensible world simply specific spontaneity supreme principle synthetic proposition things transcendental idealism unconditional universal law universally valid virtue volition