Study Questions 4.2
1.
According to Kant, what is the only thing which can be considered good without
qualification, and why?
Goodwill can be considered good without any qualifications because it does not
need anything added to it because it is good by itself. Even if it does not achieve
what it wants to it is still good.
2.
What argument from human nature does Kant provide to establish that happiness is not
the end of human life?
Kant argues that happiness is not the end of human life because he believes that
you may not know what actually makes you happy and that happiness is just
getting what you want can be immoral.
3.
How does Kant contrast actions contrary to duty, actions in accord with duty but done
from inclination, and actions done from duty?
What is Kant trying to establish about the
moral worth of action, and what is the argument?
Kant contrasts actions contrary to duty, actions in accord with duty but done
from inclinations by arguing that actions have moral worthiness when you do it
based on the motivation of duty, not inclination.
4.
How does Kant interpret the biblical command to love one's neighbor and even one's
enemy?
Kant interprets the biblical command to love one’s neighbor and even one’s
enemy by arguing that it is our duty to do and it's the right thing to do even
though it’s hard.
5.
What does Kant mean by "duty"?
What is the difference between duty and prudence?
Kant defines duty as the actions we must take to achieve goodwill. This is very
different from prudence, which Kant defines as actions that are based on our
own happiness. These actions can be moral or immoral, but they are based on
our own happiness.
6.
What test does Kant propose to determine whether a proposed course of action is
consistent with duty?
How does this test follow from his concept of duty?
Kant proposes a test that is often referred to as the universalizability test. This
test follows from his concept of duty because it allows virtually anyone to apply
the universal concept of Kant's duties to their life.
