SOSC 2340 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Misanthropy, Immanuel Kant, Kantian Ethics
8 Dec 2015
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Is being told what to do or obeying the rules and laws a sign of lack of freedom. Freedom ( autonomy ) concerns the determination of the will ( motive , as sandel calls it) A good will is morally the most important aspect of an action. Only a good will can be good without qualification. The consequences of an action are of secondary importance. Kant therefore disagrees with utilitarian"s about what is constitutes morality. Utilitarian"s argue that only consequences should be taken into account when one judges whether action x is good or bad. 1) heteronomy if my will is determined by a law external to me, it is heteronomously determined. 2) autonomy if my will is determined autonomously, it is determined by a law i give to myself. Autonomy (freedom) therefore has nothing to do with fulfilling desires or wishes. For kant, freedom and duty are not opposites, they somehow work together.
