PHIL-P 140 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Universalizability, Test Case, Categorical Imperative
Document Summary
Kant, groundwork for the metaphysics of morals, ch. 1-2 (using shafer-landau) Nothing in the world or out of it! can possibly be conceived that could be called good" without qualification except a good will. Power, riches, honour, even health, and the over-all well-being and contentment with one"s condition that we call happiness", create pride, often leading to arrogance, if there isn"t a good will to correct their influence on the mind. Not to mention the fact that the sight of someone who shows no sign of a pure and good will and yet enjoys uninterrupted prosperity will never give pleasure to an impartial rational observer. So it seems that without a good will one can"t even be worthy of being happy. The only thing good without qualification: the good will. Our central moral task as rational beings is to cultivate a good will.
