Notes on the Kant PPT/PDF: 

 
(a) ignore the comments on Hume as we won't be discussing this particular philosopher (who came
before Kant). 
(b) Pay attention to the specific terminology in Kant. 
 
Here are some terms that would be good to understand and remember: 
 
Transcendental – can be used to describe a philosophy, method, or critique (thus, Kant's is a
transcendental philosophy; he employs a transcendental method; he accomplishes a transcendental
critique).

This terms means that one is looking for the conditions of the possibility of something. A transcendental
philosophy of knowledge would be an inquiry into the conditions that need to be present in order for
knowledge to happen.

In the case of Kantian ethics, this means looking for the conditions of the possibility of moral obligation.
So what Kant is trying to do is to determine what elements need to be present for there to be moral
obligation. (Again, in other words: we have a sense that we are morally responsible, that we need to do
certain things; Kant asks, how is it possible for us to have this sense of moral obligation? We already
have it—but what makes it possible?) 
 
A priori – is a term that describes "something" that is independent from or disconnected from
experience. This term is usually contrasted with "a posteriori", which means after or in connection with
actual experience. 
 
Intrinsic (good) - a good that is good in itself; that is desired for its own sake 
 
Instrumental (good) - a good that is good for the sake of another good; that is desired for the sake of
attaining something else. For instance, many people want wealth because it enables them to enjoy
other goods (like power, pleasure, comfort, etc.) 
 
Unconditional good - a good that is and remains good despite circumstances and outcome; to put it
differently, such a good is unconditioned by the particular circumstances, our desires, inclinations, or
goals, the efficiency or inefficiency of our attempts to achieve our goals, or the outcome of our efforts. 
 
Happiness is an intrinsic good (it is a good desired for its own sake), but it is not an unconditional good
because happiness can lead to complacency. Intelligence might also be a good that is desired in and for
itself, thus an intrinsic good. But it can lead to pride. Courage might also be an intrinsic good, yet having
and exercising it might, in some cases, involve seeing and treating other people as inferior. 
 
For Kant, the only truly and unconditionally good thing in this world is a good will. We have seen that a
good will is one that is determined by nothing but itself, that is, it follows nothing else but its own
goodness. Its own goodness is ensured by sticking to principles that express duty or obligation. Such
duties and obligations come down to us from reason. 
 
maxims – particular statements that guide our action, such as "I will cheat in this exam to get a good
grade"; "I will help this person even if I don't like her very much." Maxims are not yet universal and
necessary laws, although they have the potential of being turned into such moral laws. 
 
Imperatives - are statements that express principles that should guide action 
 
There are different kinds of imperatives: 
 
(a) non-moral imperatives, which we use every day and typically do not have (much) moral weight:
"Please shut the door". "Could you hand me that pen?" 
 
(b) hypothetical imperatives, which express a goal and a means to achieve it: "If you want to get into a
good university, you'd want to make sure you study well this year". Such imperatives have the structure,
"if x, then y". 
 
© categorical imperatives, which express a moral law that should be carried out regardless of the
circumstances, the consequences, or our desires and inclinations with regard to the particular action.
Categorical imperatives are imperatives that express our duty or obligation, as "dictated" by reason.
Kant's moral philosophy concerns categorical imperatives. Please note that categorical imperatives have
the form of law, which means, they are universal (they apply to every rational being) and necessary
(they ought to be followed and lived out by all rational beings).