The Stranger

I'm reading "Metaphysics of Morals" right now. Could anyone give me a simplified overview of his ethical system? Thanks.

mhc

This professor's handouts are really good. They're in PDF files here.

The Stranger

You made the same mistake I did when buying the books.

Kant wrote two books--"Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals" and "The Metaphysics of Morals".

I'm interested in what he says about the "Metaphysics of Morals".

Dr. Retard

http://www-personal.umich.edu/~velleman/KANT.html

http://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/~sobel/Mystery_Glory/

http://www.law.nyu.edu/clppt/program...Parfitplus.pdf

Rousseau_CHN

One word: Duty.

Nothing is ethical unless it is done out of duty. You could give alms to the poor or feed the hungry, however, unless it is based on duty, it cannot be called ethical.

On the other hand, when you have lost everything that you loved in this world, and could no longer live another day. Still, if you choose to live, not out of fear of death, but out of duty...pathetic a life you might live, you, nonetheless, live an ethical life.

How do we know what is duty and what is not? A merchandiser who does not cheat his customer does not automatically make him ethical. Because he maybe doing it out of practicality. He does not cheat so that his customers may come back again.

Is it our duty to be calm, moderate and kind? Admirable traits...but unless govern by a good will, it is not ethical. In fact, if possessed by a scoundrel, this traits make him look far more abhorrent than if he did not possess it.


So that answers the question what is ethical? A good will, and only a good will, determines what is ethical.

The Stranger

then what is objective about the system? A good will is determined by rational choice, etc, but that is based on an individual's subjective outlook.

Rousseau_CHN

Stranger said:
A good will is determined by rational choice, etc, but that is based on an individual's subjective outlook.

If the rational thoughts of the individual becomes subjective then it is not based on the "good will" or duty.

Kant gave us what he termed as "categorical imperative" to correct our reasoning so as not to make rational choice subjective (i.e. what is only good for you.)

Kant said a duty is valid if it can be applied everywhere and everytime. He said : Act only on a maxim where you can will it to be a universal law.

If a law is expounded to include everyone's welfare, it ceases to become a subjective one.