The Moral Law: Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals (Routledge Classics)

by Immanuel Kant (Author)

• New

  Paperback
  2005

  $17.03

  Few books have had as great an impact on intellectual history as Kant's The Moral Law. In its short compass one of the greatest minds in the history of philosophy attempts to identify the fundamental principle 'morality' that governs human action. Supported by a clear introduction and detailed summary of the argument, this is not only an essential text for students but also the perfect introduction for any reader who wishes to encounter at first hand the mind of one of the finest and most influential thinkers of all time.

• Used

  Paperback
  1976

  $4.85

  Kant's Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals ranks with Plato's Republic and Aristotle's Ethics as one of the most important works of moral philosophy ever written. In the Groundwork, Kant argues a human action is only morally good if it done from a sense of duty, and that a duty is a formal principle based not on self-interest or from a consideration of what results might follow. From this he derived his famous and controversial maxim, the catogorical imperative: Act as if the maxim of your action were to become by your will a universal law of nature.' H. J. Paton's translation remains the standard translation, retaining all Kant's liveliness of mind, suppressed intellectual excitement, moral earnestness, and pleasure in words. The commentary and detailed analysis he provides is an invaluable and necessary guide for the student and general reader.