Moral Law: Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals

by Kant, Immanuel

• ISBN13: 9780415078436
• ISBN10: 0415078431
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 1992-12-21
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Kant'sMoral Law: Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Moralsranks with Plato'sRepublicand Aristotle'sEthicsas one of the most important works of moral philosophy ever written. InMoral Law,Kant argues that a human action is only morally good if it is done from a sense of duty, and that a duty is a formal principle based not on self-interest or from a consideration of what results might follow. From this he derived his famous and controversial maxim, the categorical imperative: "Act as if the maxim of your action were to become by your will a universal law of nature." H. J. Paton's translation remains the standard in English for this work. It retains all of Kant's liveliness of mind, suppressed intellectual excitement, moral earnestness, and pleasure in words. The commentary and detailed analysis that Paton provides is an invaluable and necessary guide for the student and general reader.

Table of Contents

Translator's Preface	7	(6)
Analysis of the Argument	13	(40)
Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals
Preface	53	(6)
Passage from ordinary rational knowledge of morality to philosophical	59	(12)
Passage from popular moral philosophy to a metaphysic of morals	71	(36)
Passage from a metaphysic of morals to a critique of pure practical reason	107	(20)
Notes	127	(12)
Index of Proper Names	139	(1)
General Index	139