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Kant’s Understanding of Kant’s Understanding of Skepticism and Imperatives:Skepticism and Imperatives:

Immanuel Kant’s Immanuel Kant’s (1743-1804):(1743-1804):

Grounding for the Grounding for the Metaphysics of Metaphysics of

Morals:Morals:

Survey of Section II:Survey of Section II:Transition from Transition from popular moral popular moral

philosophy to the philosophy to the metaphysic of morals.metaphysic of morals.

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Section II.Section II.

Kant begins section II with problems of moral Kant begins section II with problems of moral skepticism (pgs. 25-29):skepticism (pgs. 25-29):

1.1. Moral skepticism: a problem which troubles moral Moral skepticism: a problem which troubles moral epistemology; it persistently troubles the quest for epistemology; it persistently troubles the quest for knowledge, challenging any theory of knowledge by knowledge, challenging any theory of knowledge by questioning whatever than be any knowledge or justified questioning whatever than be any knowledge or justified belief at all.belief at all.

33

Section II.Section II.

Kant writes:Kant writes:

““Although many things are done in conformity with what duty prescribes, Although many things are done in conformity with what duty prescribes, it is nevertheless always doubtful whether they are done strictly from duty, it is nevertheless always doubtful whether they are done strictly from duty, so as to have a moral worth. Hence there have, at all times, been so as to have a moral worth. Hence there have, at all times, been philosophers who have altogether denied that this disposition actually philosophers who have altogether denied that this disposition actually exists at all in human actions, and have ascribed everything to a more or exists at all in human actions, and have ascribed everything to a more or less refined self-love. Not that they have on that account questioned the less refined self-love. Not that they have on that account questioned the soundness of the conception of morality; on the contrary, they spoke with soundness of the conception of morality; on the contrary, they spoke with since regret of the frailty and corruption of human nature, which though since regret of the frailty and corruption of human nature, which though noble enough to take as its rule an idea so worthy of respect, is yet too noble enough to take as its rule an idea so worthy of respect, is yet too weak to follow it, and employs reason, which ought to give it the law only weak to follow it, and employs reason, which ought to give it the law only for the purpose of providing for the interests of the inclinations.... In fact, it for the purpose of providing for the interests of the inclinations.... In fact, it is absolutely impossible to make out by experience with complete is absolutely impossible to make out by experience with complete certainty a single case in which the maxim of an action, however right in certainty a single case in which the maxim of an action, however right in itself, rested simply on moral grounds and on the conception of duty (pg. itself, rested simply on moral grounds and on the conception of duty (pg. 25-6).25-6).

44

Section II.Section II.

2.2. Several forms of moral skepticism as according to Kant:Several forms of moral skepticism as according to Kant:

A.A. Form # 1: Skeptic can deny there is any moral Form # 1: Skeptic can deny there is any moral knowledge knowledge or justified moral belief.or justified moral belief.

B.B. Form # 2: Amoralism: Even if you can offer an Form # 2: Amoralism: Even if you can offer an objection to the existence or reality of moral knowledge, objection to the existence or reality of moral knowledge, you still have to contend with the amoralist who argues you still have to contend with the amoralist who argues that justified moral belief is outside the scope of morality. that justified moral belief is outside the scope of morality. This notion implies non-cognitivism (in morality) and a This notion implies non-cognitivism (in morality) and a radical view of moral motivation.radical view of moral motivation.

55

Section II.Section II.

2.2. Several forms of moral skepticism (The Problem of the Mind):Several forms of moral skepticism (The Problem of the Mind):

C.C. Form # 3: As an evaluator it is impossible to know the Form # 3: As an evaluator it is impossible to know the thoughts of another. How is it possible to know the thoughts of another. How is it possible to know the

thoughts of thoughts of another or that another has thoughts at all?another or that another has thoughts at all?

D.D. Form # 4: As an evaluator it is impossible to know the Form # 4: As an evaluator it is impossible to know the agent’s agent’s motivating reason for his moral action. motivating reason for his moral action.

66

Section II.Section II.

2.2. Several forms of moral skepticism (The Problem of the Mind):Several forms of moral skepticism (The Problem of the Mind):

E. Form # 5: As an evaluator it is impossible to know the E. Form # 5: As an evaluator it is impossible to know the agent’s motivating reason for action agent’s motivating reason for action is his knowledge and is his knowledge and respect for what the moral obligation requires.respect for what the moral obligation requires.

F. Form # 6: It is impossible for the F. Form # 6: It is impossible for the agent himselfagent himself to know to know that that his action.his action.

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Section II.Section II.

Kant offers two responses to Skeptic claims regarding the Kant offers two responses to Skeptic claims regarding the knowledge of moral motivation:knowledge of moral motivation:

1.1. Argument from agent’s self-knowledge;Argument from agent’s self-knowledge;

2.2. Argument from best explanation of agent’s action.Argument from best explanation of agent’s action.

Let’s take a closer look at these responses!Let’s take a closer look at these responses!

88

Section II.Section II.

1.1. Argument from agent’s self-knowledge:Argument from agent’s self-knowledge:

While the evaluator may have difficulty knowing whether the agent was While the evaluator may have difficulty knowing whether the agent was motivated by his moral reason, the agent himself has authority over the contents motivated by his moral reason, the agent himself has authority over the contents of his mental life, including motives. In essence, the agent himself would know of his mental life, including motives. In essence, the agent himself would know what he thinks, wants, and what is motivating reasons are, especially the reason what he thinks, wants, and what is motivating reasons are, especially the reason for which acts. Therefore, while the skeptic may have a point as an evaluator, for which acts. Therefore, while the skeptic may have a point as an evaluator, he can’t deny the agent’s access to his own mind.he can’t deny the agent’s access to his own mind.

[I would add that if the skeptic was to deny the possibility of the agent knowing [I would add that if the skeptic was to deny the possibility of the agent knowing his own mind, then how can the skeptic himself argue that he knows that he his own mind, then how can the skeptic himself argue that he knows that he knows there is no moral justified belief; This is self-defeating].knows there is no moral justified belief; This is self-defeating].

99

Section II.Section II.

2.2. Argument from Best Explanation of Agent’s Action:Argument from Best Explanation of Agent’s Action:

A.A. Since the function of any hypothesis is to provide an explanation of a Since the function of any hypothesis is to provide an explanation of a phenomenon by answering the explanatory why-question about it, the phenomenon by answering the explanatory why-question about it, the hypothesis counts as knowledge if it successful in answering the hypothesis counts as knowledge if it successful in answering the

explanatory explanatory why-question. Therefore, the correct hypothesis that supplies why-question. Therefore, the correct hypothesis that supplies knowledge of knowledge of the agent’s motivating reason is the one that offers the best the agent’s motivating reason is the one that offers the best explanation of the explanation of the agent’s action.agent’s action.

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Section II.Section II.

2.2. Argument from Best Explanation of Agent’s Action:Argument from Best Explanation of Agent’s Action:

B.B. For example: In the case of the non-philanthropist, we can judge For example: In the case of the non-philanthropist, we can judge correctly that his action has moral worth if we can establish the hypothesis that correctly that his action has moral worth if we can establish the hypothesis that he acted from duty; we can establish that if we know motives from which he he acted from duty; we can establish that if we know motives from which he might have acted. We know that such benevolent action is noting his own might have acted. We know that such benevolent action is noting his own interest; it actually conflicts with it. And given his depressed and withdrawn interest; it actually conflicts with it. And given his depressed and withdrawn behavior we know that he has not feelings of sympathy for others. Thus, the behavior we know that he has not feelings of sympathy for others. Thus, the best explanation for his benevolent action is that he does it from duty.best explanation for his benevolent action is that he does it from duty.

[This is an interesting case because a virtue ethicist like G.E.M. Anscombe [This is an interesting case because a virtue ethicist like G.E.M. Anscombe would say that the person who is naturally inclined to do it is more virtuous would say that the person who is naturally inclined to do it is more virtuous than the one who does it out of duty but whose moral character is not than the one who does it out of duty but whose moral character is not predisposed to do it].predisposed to do it].

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Section II.Section II.

3.3. Now we can apply the result of the explanation to the following argument in Now we can apply the result of the explanation to the following argument in order to reach our evaluative judgment of the moral worth of an action:order to reach our evaluative judgment of the moral worth of an action:

A.A. If agent acts for a moral reason, his motivating reason is If agent acts for a moral reason, his motivating reason is purely moral; it is a moral motive.purely moral; it is a moral motive.

B.B. If agent acts for that purely morally motivating reason, agent If agent acts for that purely morally motivating reason, agent acts acts from duty.from duty.

C.C. Agent’s action has moral worth if agent acts from duty.Agent’s action has moral worth if agent acts from duty.

D.D. Since we know that agent acts from duty, we know that his Since we know that agent acts from duty, we know that his action action has moral worth.has moral worth.

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Regarding the use of examples, Kant states the following:Regarding the use of examples, Kant states the following:

““Even the Holy One of the Gospels must first be Even the Holy One of the Gospels must first be compared with our ideal of moral perfection before we compared with our ideal of moral perfection before we can recognise Him as such; and so He he says of can recognise Him as such; and so He he says of Himself, ‘Why call ye Me (whom you see) good; none Himself, ‘Why call ye Me (whom you see) good; none is good (the model of good) but God only (whom ye do is good (the model of good) but God only (whom ye do not see?).’ But whence have the conception of God as not see?).’ But whence have the conception of God as the supreme good? Simply from the idea of moral the supreme good? Simply from the idea of moral perfection, which reasons frames a priori (independent perfection, which reasons frames a priori (independent of all experience), and connects inseparably with the of all experience), and connects inseparably with the notion of a free-will” (pg. 28).notion of a free-will” (pg. 28).

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Kant distinguishes between holy and non-holy will. To Kant distinguishes between holy and non-holy will. To be sure, the human will is a non-holy will (pg. 30-4).be sure, the human will is a non-holy will (pg. 30-4).

1.1. Pure, Holy Will: The agent’s action is Pure, Holy Will: The agent’s action is determined determined solely by what reason demands.solely by what reason demands.

2.2. Impure, Unholy Will: The agent’s action is not Impure, Unholy Will: The agent’s action is not determined solely by reason: instead the agent is determined solely by reason: instead the agent is subject to the non-rational motives of inclination as well subject to the non-rational motives of inclination as well as to the motives of prudence. Therefore, action as to the motives of prudence. Therefore, action determined by duty is action under constraint because determined by duty is action under constraint because there are other possible conflicting non-rational there are other possible conflicting non-rational motives for action. The human will is not by nature motives for action. The human will is not by nature obedient to reason.obedient to reason.

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Kant writes:Kant writes:

““For the pure conception of duty, unmixed with any foreign For the pure conception of duty, unmixed with any foreign addition of empirical attractions, and, in a word, the addition of empirical attractions, and, in a word, the conception of the moral law, exercises on the human heart, conception of the moral law, exercises on the human heart, by way of reason alone (which first becomes aware with this by way of reason alone (which first becomes aware with this that it can of itself be practical), an influence so much more that it can of itself be practical), an influence so much more powerful than all other springs which may be derived from powerful than all other springs which may be derived from the field of experience, that in the consciousness of its the field of experience, that in the consciousness of its worth, it despises the latter, and by degrees become their worth, it despises the latter, and by degrees become their master; whereas a mixed ethics, compounded partly of master; whereas a mixed ethics, compounded partly of motives drawn from feelings and inclinations and partly also motives drawn from feelings and inclinations and partly also of conceptions of reason, must make the mind waver of conceptions of reason, must make the mind waver between motives which cannot be brought under any between motives which cannot be brought under any principle, which lead to good only by accident, and very principle, which lead to good only by accident, and very often also to evil” (pp. 30-31).often also to evil” (pp. 30-31).

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Commands and Imperatives:Commands and Imperatives:

Kant writes:Kant writes:

““For the pure conception of duty, unmixed with any foreign For the pure conception of duty, unmixed with any foreign addition of empirical attractions, and, in a word, the addition of empirical attractions, and, in a word, the conception of the moral law, exercises on the human heart, conception of the moral law, exercises on the human heart, by way of reason alone (which first becomes aware with this by way of reason alone (which first becomes aware with this that it can of itself be practical), an influence so much more that it can of itself be practical), an influence so much more powerful than all other springs which may be derived from powerful than all other springs which may be derived from the field of experience, that in the consciousness of its the field of experience, that in the consciousness of its worth, it despises the latter, and by degrees become their worth, it despises the latter, and by degrees become their master; whereas a mixed ethics, compounded partly of master; whereas a mixed ethics, compounded partly of motives drawn from feelings and inclinations and partly also motives drawn from feelings and inclinations and partly also of conceptions of reason, must make the mind waver of conceptions of reason, must make the mind waver between motives which cannot be brought under any between motives which cannot be brought under any principle, which lead to good only by accident, and very principle, which lead to good only by accident, and very often also to evil” (pp. 30-31).often also to evil” (pp. 30-31).

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Commands and Imperatives:Commands and Imperatives:

1.1. Rules which constrain our will are commands.Rules which constrain our will are commands.

2.2. Imperatives express commands.Imperatives express commands.

3.3. Therefore, imperatives express constraints on Therefore, imperatives express constraints on human will.human will.

4.4. Imperatives are prescriptive (ought) judgments.Imperatives are prescriptive (ought) judgments.

5.5. There are no imperatives or prescriptions for a holy There are no imperatives or prescriptions for a holy or pure will because the volition is already of itself or pure will because the volition is already of itself necessarily in unison with the law.necessarily in unison with the law.

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Commands and ImperativesCommands and Imperatives(pp. 32-43):(pp. 32-43):

Kant writes:Kant writes:““Everything in nature works according to laws. Rational beings alone Everything in nature works according to laws. Rational beings alone have the faculty of acting according have the faculty of acting according to the conceptionsto the conceptions of laws, that is of laws, that is according to principles, i.e., have a according to principles, i.e., have a willwill. Since the deduction of actions . Since the deduction of actions from principle requires reason, the wil is nothing but practical reason. If from principle requires reason, the wil is nothing but practical reason. If reason infallibly determines the will, then the actions of such a being reason infallibly determines the will, then the actions of such a being which are recognised as objectively necessary also, i.e., the will is a which are recognised as objectively necessary also, i.e., the will is a faculty to choose that only which reason independent on inclination faculty to choose that only which reason independent on inclination recognizes as practically necessary, i.e., as god. But if reason of itself recognizes as practically necessary, i.e., as god. But if reason of itself does not sufficiently determine the will, if the latter is subject also to does not sufficiently determine the will, if the latter is subject also to subjective conditions (particular impulses) which do not always coincide subjective conditions (particular impulses) which do not always coincide with the objective conditions; in a word, if the will does not itself with the objective conditions; in a word, if the will does not itself completely accord with reason (which is actually the case with men), completely accord with reason (which is actually the case with men), then the actions which objectively are recognised as necessary are then the actions which objectively are recognised as necessary are subjectively contingent, and the determination of such a will according subjectively contingent, and the determination of such a will according to objective laws is obligation, that is it say, the relation of the objective to objective laws is obligation, that is it say, the relation of the objective laws to a will is not thoroughly conceived as the determination of the laws to a will is not thoroughly conceived as the determination of the will of a rational being by principles of reason, but which the will from will of a rational being by principles of reason, but which the will from its nature does not of necessity follow” (pg. 32-3).its nature does not of necessity follow” (pg. 32-3).

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Commands and Imperatives:Commands and Imperatives:

Types of Imperatives: Hypothetical and Types of Imperatives: Hypothetical and Categorical:Categorical:

1.1. Hypothetical Imperatives: These express Hypothetical Imperatives: These express commands to adopt the means to a given commands to adopt the means to a given desired end. The prescribed action is desired end. The prescribed action is instrumentally valuable and ought to be done if instrumentally valuable and ought to be done if the agent wants to achieve the end for which the the agent wants to achieve the end for which the action should serve as a means.action should serve as a means.

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Commands and Imperatives:Commands and Imperatives:

A.A. Types of Hypothetical Categories:Types of Hypothetical Categories:

1.1. Rules of Skill (technical): given some send, these rules Rules of Skill (technical): given some send, these rules specify the means to achieve it.specify the means to achieve it.

2.2. Happiness and Counsels of Prudence Happiness and Counsels of Prudence (pragmatic): Given happiness as the end, these counsels (pragmatic): Given happiness as the end, these counsels specify the means to achieve it. However, the concept specify the means to achieve it. However, the concept

of of happiness is not determinate enough to dictate specific happiness is not determinate enough to dictate specific actions as means.actions as means.

3.3. Hypothetical imperatives are contingent because there is Hypothetical imperatives are contingent because there is no no reason to act for this reason if one does not happen to reason to act for this reason if one does not happen to want want the end for which it is a means.the end for which it is a means.

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Commands and Imperatives:Commands and Imperatives:

1.1. Categorical Imperatives express objective commands Categorical Imperatives express objective commands of morality. They prescribe an action which reason of morality. They prescribe an action which reason demands independent of any other end. The action is demands independent of any other end. The action is ought to be done because morality requires it.ought to be done because morality requires it.

a.a. Only categorical imperatives are practical laws.Only categorical imperatives are practical laws.

b.b. Laws involve necessity as opposed to Laws involve necessity as opposed to hypothetical imperatives because the latter are hypothetical imperatives because the latter are contingent upon the pre-given ends (some possible contingent upon the pre-given ends (some possible purpose or happiness).purpose or happiness).

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One Categorical Imperative:One Categorical Imperative:

1.1. Principle of Universalizability:Principle of Universalizability:

““Act only according to the maxim by which Act only according to the maxim by which you can at you can at the the same time will that it should become a universal law.”same time will that it should become a universal law.”

2.2. Principle of Humanity:Principle of Humanity:

““Act so that you treat humanity, whether in your own person Act so that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or that of another, always as an end and never as a means or that of another, always as an end and never as a means only”only”

3.3. Principle of the Autonomy of the Will:Principle of the Autonomy of the Will:

““Act so that the will through its maxims could regard itself at Act so that the will through its maxims could regard itself at the same time as a universal legislator.”the same time as a universal legislator.”

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Significant Quotes:Significant Quotes:

“…“…it may be discerned beforehand that the it may be discerned beforehand that the categorical imperative alone has the purport of categorical imperative alone has the purport of practical law: all the rest may indeed be called practical law: all the rest may indeed be called principles of the will but not laws, since whatever principles of the will but not laws, since whatever is only necessary for the attainment of some is only necessary for the attainment of some arbitrary purpose may be considered as in itself arbitrary purpose may be considered as in itself contingent, and we can at any time be free from contingent, and we can at any time be free from the precept if we give up the purpose: on the the precept if we give up the purpose: on the contrary, the unconditional command leave the contrary, the unconditional command leave the will no liberty to choose the opposite; will no liberty to choose the opposite; consequently it alone carries with it that consequently it alone carries with it that necessity which we require in a law” (pp. 41-42).necessity which we require in a law” (pp. 41-42).

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Significant Quotes:Significant Quotes:

““When I conceive a hypothetical imperative in When I conceive a hypothetical imperative in general I do not know beforehand what it will general I do not know beforehand what it will contain until I am given the condition. But when contain until I am given the condition. But when I conceive a categorical imperative I know at I conceive a categorical imperative I know at once what it contains. For as the imperative once what it contains. For as the imperative contains besides the law only the necessity that contains besides the law only the necessity that the maxims shall conform to this law, while the the maxims shall conform to this law, while the law contains no conditions restricting it, there law contains no conditions restricting it, there remains nothing but the general statement that remains nothing but the general statement that the maxim of the action should conform to a the maxim of the action should conform to a universal law, and it is this conformity alone that universal law, and it is this conformity alone that the imperative properly represents as the imperative properly represents as necessary” (pp. 42-43).necessary” (pp. 42-43).

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Significant Quotes:Significant Quotes:

““A maxim is a subjective principle of action, and A maxim is a subjective principle of action, and must be distinguished from the objective must be distinguished from the objective principle, namely, practical law. The former principle, namely, practical law. The former contains the practical rule set by reason contains the practical rule set by reason according to the conditions of the subject (often according to the conditions of the subject (often its ignorance or its inclinations), so that it is the its ignorance or its inclinations), so that it is the principle on which the subject acts; but the law is principle on which the subject acts; but the law is the objective principle valid for every rational the objective principle valid for every rational being, and is the principle on which it ought to being, and is the principle on which it ought to act, that is, an imperative” (pp. 42-43; footnote).act, that is, an imperative” (pp. 42-43; footnote).