Concept
Metaphysics of Morals
Overview
The Metaphysics of Morals (German: Die Metaphysik der Sitten) is a 1797 work of political and moral philosophy by Immanuel Kant. It is also Kant's last major work in moral philosophy. The work is divided into two sections: the Doctrine of Right dealing with political rights, and the Doctrine of Virtue dealing with ethical virtues.
In this work, Kant develops the political and ethical philosophy for which the Groundwork and the Critique of Practical Reason provide the foundation.
The Doctrine of Right was first published separately around January 1797, and the Doctrine of Virtue in August of that year. Kant made a second edition with slight revisions in 1798, which include adding an appendix responding to a review of the Doctrine of Right by Friedrich Bouterwek.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0; see the article history for authors).
Possible passages
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Practical laws, in so far as they are subjective grounds of actions, that is, subjective principles, are termed maxims. The judgements of moral according to in its purity and ultimate results are framed according ideas; the observance of its laws, according to maxims. The whole course of our life must be subject to moral maxims; but this is impossible, unless with the moral law, which is a mere idea, reason connects…
Immanuel Kant, The Critique of Pure Reason
States what Metaphysics of Morals is; the author is tied to Metaphysics of Morals in the knowledge graph.
For the pure conception of duty, unmixed with any foreign addition of empirical attractions, and, in a word, the conception of the moral law, exercises on the human heart, by way of reason alone (which first becomes aware with this that it can of itself be practical), an influence so much more powerful than all other springs * which may be derived from the field of experience, that, in the consciousness of its…
Immanuel Kant, Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysic of Morals
The author is tied to Metaphysics of Morals in the knowledge graph.
All theories in which the ultimate standard of institutions and rules of action was the happiness of mankind, and observation and experience the guides (and some such there have been in all periods of free speculation), are entitled to the name Positive, whatever, in other respects, their imperfections may be. But these were a small minority. M. Comte was right in affirming that the prevailing schools of moral and…
John Stuart Mill, Auguste Comte and Positivism
Close in meaning to Metaphysics of Morals; the term itself is not named.
Philosophers who discussed Metaphysics of Morals
Related ideas
- Immanuel Kant
- Classical republicanism
- Positive law
- Internet Archive
- Political philosophy
- Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals
- Republicanism
- Virtue
- Critique of Practical Reason
- Cambridge University Press
- Ethics
Place in the tradition
Part of German philosophy.