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EVARISTO Lee BSLM1A SO Metaphysic of Ethics
EVARISTO Lee BSLM1A SO Metaphysic of Ethics
Evaristo BSLM
1A
ETH 101 | Mr. David Floyd Roxas June 15, 2021
Summary Outline:
Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysic of Ethics by Immanuel Kant
B. Moral Worth
- Kant believes that the moral worth of an action does lie in the effect expended from it,
be it that result is good or bad. And any action done out of an inclination to do it holds
no moral worth either.
- Actions will only hold moral worth if they are done from duty. And the preeminent good
which we call moral can only exist in “the conception of law” itself, which is only possible
for us because we are rational beings. It should be our moral principles that directs our
will, and not our inclinations.
D. Moral Maxims
- Kant believes that actions should be consistent to duty. Can we rationally will that
other people will act as how we want to act for ourselves? Actions ought to be
consistent with duty and consistent with all other people.
E. Kant on Imperatives
- An imperative, according to Kant, is a command; an obligation.
- Categorical imperatives are actions that are necessary in and of itself without the
reference to its end; they are actions that are objectively necessary. A simple example
of this concept is to “not lie”, as the act of being untruthful cannot be universalized.
- Hypothetical imperatives are actions that are good only as a means to something else;
there is an end result involved. A simple example of this concept can be: “If you are
hungry, then eat some food.”
- “Act only on that maxim through which you can at the same time will that it should
become a universal law.”