Immanuel Kant (1724–1804)
These lecture are an introduction to the ethics of Immanuel Kant. Their aim is to provide an introduction to Kant’s ethical thought and to provide the student with a sufficient background to pursue further study of Kant’s ethics. Their objective is to provide the student with an in depth understanding of Kant’s Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals. The lectures are primarily historical, though connections with contemporary philosophical problems will be touched upon.
Reading
Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, Immanuel Kant, Mary Gregor (ed.), Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002. I have not recommended any secondary literature. This is intentional. The secondary literature is difficult, and, for now, students should spend their time and energy trying to understand Kant rather than trying to understand Kant commentators.
Lecture Notes
These lecture notes are only intended to provide the student with the “nuts and bolts” of the material presented in lecture and are in no way a substitute for attendance in lecture. Nor are they in any way a substitute for reading the text.
- The Project
- The Value of a Good Will
- The Good Will and Duty
- The First Formula
- The Second Formula
- The Third Formula
Links
Excited by the Groundwork and want to learn more? Here are a few places to start:
