Kant's 'Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals'
A Critical Guide

This volume discusses Kant's philosophical development in the Groundwork and his attempt to justify the categorical imperative as a principle of freedom.

Jens Timmermann (Edited by)

9781107641143, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 30 May 2013

246 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.3 cm, 0.34 kg

'This collection of essays is diverse and engaging. The essays are of wide theoretical interest and deftly address issues of interpretation along with broader normative issues arising from Kant's Groundwork. Striking a nice balance of interpretive and normative concerns, each essay draws on a wide variety of sources, including not only Kant, but also his sympathetic commentators and his detractors. Those in either camp are well-advised to give these essays their attention.' Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews

In his Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, Immanuel Kant portrays the supreme moral principle as an unconditional imperative that applies to all of us because we freely choose to impose upon ourselves a law of pure practical reason. Morality is revealed to be a matter of autonomy. Today, this approach to ethical theory is as perplexing, controversial and inspiring as it was in 1785, when the Groundwork was first published. The essays in this volume, by international Kant scholars and moral philosophers, discuss Kant's philosophical development and his rejection of earlier moral theories, the role of happiness and inclination in the Groundwork, Kant's moral metaphysics and theory of value, and his attempt to justify the categorical imperative as a principle of freedom. They reflect the approach of several schools of interpretation and illustrate the lively diversity of Kantian ethics today.

Abbreviations
List of contributors
Introduction Jens Timmermann
1. Ethics and anthropology in the development of Kant's moral philosophy Manfred Kuehn
2. Happiness in the Groundwork Alison Hills
3. Acting from duty: inclination, reason and moral worth Jens Timmermann
4. Making the law visible: the role of examples in Kant's ethics Robert B. Louden
5. The moral law as causal law Robert N. Johnson
6. Dignity and the formula of humanity Oliver Sensen
7. Kant's kingdom of ends: metaphysical, not political Katrin Flikschuh
8. Kant against the 'spurious principles of morality' J. B. Schneewind
9. Autonomy and impartiality: Groundwork III John Skorupski
10. Problems with freedom: Kant's argument in Groundwork III and its subsequent emendation Paul Guyer
11. Freedom and reason in Groundwork III Frederick Rauscher.

Subject Areas: Social & political philosophy [HPS], Ethics & moral philosophy [HPQ], History of Western philosophy [HPC]