PHIL 1200 Lecture 73: Lecture 73
Document Summary
To answer this, one has to take up the concept of duty, which includes that of the good will. But perhaps we can find out more by looking at what kant understands as a duty. We only have a conception of duty (and of law) because we have a will. Other animals don"t have a will (cid:523)they do not choose what they do, they just do it), and, therefore, they could never act out of duty. Duty for kant is one of the things that can move us to action (we sometimes do what we do because we have to and not necessarily because we desire to) The other thing that can move us is self-interest. Self-interest and duty are two completely separate things for kant. But it is not easy to separate them when it comes to actions. Because they only affect one"s motives and motives are hard to figure out.