Claudia Crain 1

Kants Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysics of Morals

Morality is defined as a system of values and principles of conduct, held by a person or
society. Moral values are important because they set standards for moral behavior, identity and
responsibility. It impacts our decisions and keeps humanity from making bad choices that will in
turn affect our society and life styles. One thing that helps morality is religion because it helps
people to know the difference between rights or wrong based on their beliefs. There are many
different cultures in the world and each has their own religion. Religion sets standards of moral
behaviors. But not everyone follow these standards at this point we rely on laws. Laws are rules
and obligations imposed in a community that keeps individuals from committing an action that
will have a negative impact in its members. Also, it plays an important role in morality. Lastly;
life experiences helps individuals to deal with a conflict and make the best choice. Experiences
help develop moral judgment, which helps maintain the conduct in our society.
Immanuel Kant was born in Konigsberg, Prussia (1724-1804) since early age showed
interest for school, and spend majority of his career teaching. Kant was a German modern
philosopher his thoughts contributed to different fields such as metaphysics, epistemology,
ethics, political philosophy and aesthetics. Some of his most important works include Critique of
pure reason, Prolegomena to any future, and Metaphysics of morals and Answering the question:
what is Enlightment? Kant had an special interest in morality the principles concerning the
difference between right and wrong. He presented his ideas in Fundamental Principles of the
Metaphysic of Morals. Kant believes that our experiences are based in necessary features of our
minds and that we experience a phenomenal world thru our senses. He argued that in order to
apply our reasoning we somehow need it to related it to our experiences otherwise this type of
thinking will be theorical.
Claudia Crain 2

When I started reading Kants work Fundamental principles of the metaphysic of
morals (Gutenberg.org). I notice that Kant explain the content of his book in the preface. He
gave a little introduction about his views of morality. He also argues about the need of pure
philosophy and describes three important areas of it this areas are; logic, physics and ethics.
Logic refers to thoughts; physics refers to natural laws and ethics deal with laws of freedom.
Kant compares and contrasts these areas of philosophy and concludes that morality is based on
the necessities of individuals. Kant believes in the supreme principle of morality which comes
from common sense and the analysis of it. The bases of this believe have a root on empirical
knowledge, Kant argues that experiences and observations are the correct theoretical
understanding of morality. To give a better explanation of his investigations Kant divides his
book into three sections and a conclusion at the end.
I had the opportunity to review the first section Transition from the common rational
knowledge (Gutenberg.org). Kant start this section with the explanation of good will he states
that good will do not need any qualification; it is good itself. It is a supreme virtue that does not
depend on anything to be good; therefore, will not end. Other type of goodness does not last
because they rely on others sources. For example the feelings of happiness and goodness due to
material possessions or wealth are due when there is no more of it. After Kants argument of the
good will, he goes into an argument of theology. He states that our faculties based in a
supposition have different natural purposes for which they are more appropriate. Kant believes
that natural creatures purpose is not their self-preservation if their ability to reason is brought by
a natural inclination. I agree with Kant on his views of good will, when we act and our intentions
are good, and we do or do not achieve what we planned because of situations that are out of or
control what it remains is the good will.
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The morality of our actions it is not based upon the future outcomes. I believe that we
need to look at the motives behind our actions; this is a better way to control our behavior, and
make right decisions. Kant also argued that will acts from duty, I believe this is important to
maintain a good society. In the section the categorical imperative Kant argues that duty is the
necessity to act out of a great appreciation for the law. According to Kant the ultimate principle
of morality is a moral law, which guides our actions thru practical reasoning. Kants theories of
wrong or right actions known as deontological moral theories state that actions do not depend on
consequences but on accomplishing out social duty.