Groundwork For The Metaphysic Of Morals By Immanuel Kant

Born Immanuel Kant in what is now known, as Kalingrad Russia in 1724, Kant became one of the greatest philosophers since the Greeks. Kant stayed in his hometown for most of his life and became famous for his brilliant mind and thoughts of his own ethical theory. Kant’s ethical theory is an analysis of the bases of the concepts of moral code and moral obligation. His theory goes into breaking down and giving guidelines to those rational beings who wish to live or seek to live a purely good life. They would live this good life through moral and ethical duty, and the good will according to Kant’s categorical imperative. Though Kant’s ethical theory serves as a good foundation for everyday rational people to live by, there are certain things in
First term that should be defined is a rational being, as when Kant applies his theory he is mostly speaking to these people. Kant says in his book, “Groundwork for the Metaphysic of Morals” a rational being is someone with, “a will—which is the ability to act according to the thought of laws, i.e. to act on principle” (Kant, Chapter 2, pg. 19). Rational beings nature marks them out as ends in themselves. Another important term that Kant uses is good will. Good will is a will that acts not from inclination but from duty; not merely in accord with duty but from duty. A very important quote out of, “Groundwork for the Metaphysic of Morals” Kant begins with the statement that, "Nothing can possibly be conceived in the world, or even out of it, which can be called good without qualification, except a good will" (Chapter 1, pg. 5). An example of good will would be if it is raining outside and while driving you see a woman with her child struggling with her umbrella while walking home. Well you can do a numerous of things like A) drive by and pray for the woman and her child. B) Go to the nearest store and get her a new umbrella to place her broke one because you believe it’s the right thing to do. C) Ask the woman if she would like a ride to her home even though it could be in the opposite direction from which you are going. Now even though, Kant is not saying to ask random strangers if they want a lift if it is raining outside, he is say that option C is a good example of good will. Within the definition of good will you can find the term duty, but it is not the duty you may be thinking. This type of duty does not occur in your nearest bathroom though, Kant speaks of the duty that is the necessity of an action done out of respect for the moral law. The moral law can be simplified as to act so that your