Critique on Kant's Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals

A detailed Summary of Critique on Kant's Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals

Critique on Kant's Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals

In Immanuel Kant's Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals he shows a clear understanding of goodwill and all its components. He offers lengthy elaboration of his theories along with numerous relevant examples. Yet while his arguments are well structured and supported they still suffer from certain logical inconsistencies in regard to the honest nature of mankind.

Kant starts by first stating that nothing in the world is truly good, with the exception of goodwill. He believes that all other things are good only because they stem from goodwill itself. Things such as honor, kindness, and charity all possess potential for goodness, but only if the person executing these characteristics possesses the goodwill itself. If they do not then the actions are tainted and no longer pure examples of anything good. He also states that ones worthiness for the attainment of ultimate happiness solely rests upon whether or not a person possesses goodwill. Kant claims, "Some qualities are even helpful to this goodwill itself and can make its task very much easier." He acknowledges that the obtainment of goodwill is not a simple task, and retaining it is not much easier, he concedes that

it would require every fiber of ones being to not default on the guidelines that he has setup for goodwill. Kant believes that goodwill is a constant. That regardless of the outcome of any situation, whether goodwill resulted in something more constructive or destructive, it's value remains unchanged. It is above any

For example, Kant tells us that in order to possess goodwill it is essential for one to act out of duty for the sake of duty and not for the expected result. He also tells us that goodwill is not an innate quality, but must be earned and then maintained over time.

At this point he discus's how duty and goodwill play out in our culture. Kant says, "Duty is the necessity to act out of reverence for the law." (Kant pg. 99) If one aims to achieve something as a result of their actions then they can only have inclination, but never reverence, therefore they cannot be acting with a sense of duty, and by that cannot and do not possess goodwill. The loyalty to the law because it is law also plays an important part here. When an action is done from duty it is essential for one remain completely focused on the act of obeying the law. If one allows themselves to focus too much on the possible negative outcomes then the chances of a person suffering from derelictions in duty in order to mold the outcome to more pleasing results begin to interfere with the principle of volition, which was originally solely out of duty and reverence for the law.

Kant makes many valid and well-constructed arguments in his article, but despite the strong rational behind his theories; there still remains certain logical inconsistencies.

Basically the law must be obeyed at all costs, and regardless of how that obedience will affect you, no matter how severe. With this Kant goes on to state that the moral wo

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Approximate Word count = 1222
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English