These lively essays, transcribed by Kant's students during his lectures on ethics at Konigsberg in the years 1775-1780, are celebrated not only for their insight into Kant's polished and often witty lecture style but also as a key to understanding the development of his moral thought. As Lewis White Beck points out in the Foreword to this edition, those who know Kant only from his rigorous and abstract intellectual critiques may be surprised by the accessibility of these essays, which "put flesh on the bones of the critical ethics," while revealing Kant as a practical moralist, greatly concerned with the nuances of human conduct and the social effects of his moral teaching. The sharply focused discussions and definitions strengthen an interpretation of Kant's more mature speculative works and remain the riches document we have for understanding the history of the preeminent ethical theory of modern times.
Co-published in the U.K. by Routledge.
These lively essays, transcribed by Kant's students during his lectures on ethics at Konigsberg in the years 1775-1780, are celebrated not only for their insight into Kant's polished and often witty lecture style but also as a key to understanding the development of his moral thought. As Lewis White Beck points out in the Foreword to this edition, those who know Kant only from his rigorous and abstract intellectual critiques may be surprised by the accessibility of these essays, which "put flesh on the bones of the critical ethics," while revealing Kant as a practical moralist, greatly concerned with the nuances of human conduct and the social effects of his moral teaching. The sharply focused discussions and definitions strengthen an interpretation of Kant's more mature speculative works and remain the riches document we have for understanding the history of the preeminent ethical theory of modern times.
Contents:
Foreword
Universal Practical Philosophy
Proem
The Ethical Systems of the Ancients
The General Principle of Morality
De Obligatione Activa et Passiva
Moral Compulsion
Practical Necessitation
Laws
The Supreme Principle of Morality
De Littera Legis
The Lawgiver
Reward and Punishment
De Imputatione
Responsibility for Consequences of Actions
Grounds of Imputatio Moralis
Imputatio Facti
Degrees of Responsibility
Ethics
Introductory Observations
Natural Religion
Errors of Religion
Unbelief
Trust in God and the Concept of Faith
Prayer
De Cultu Externo
Example and Pattern in Religion
Stumbling-Blocks
Devoutness and the Feeling of Shame
Confession of Faith: Its Limitations and Conditions
Duties to Oneself
Proper Self-respect
Conscience
Self-love
Self-mastery
Duties towards the Body in regard to Life
Suicide
Care for One's Life
Duties towards the Body Itself
Occupation
Shortening Time
Duties towards the Body in Respect of Sexual Impulse
Crimina Carnis
Duties towards Ourselves in Respect of external Circumstances
Wealth
The Attachment of the Mind to Wealth (Greed and Avarice)
Thrift
The Two Impulses of our Nature and their Concomitant Duties
Duties towards Others
Friendship
Enmity
Duties dictated by Justice
Equity
Innocence
Injury
Vengeance
The Slanderer
Jealousy and its Offspring—Envy and Grudge
Ethical Duties towards Others: Truthfulness
Poverty and Charity
Social Virtues
Haughtiness
Scoffing
Duties towards Animals and Spirits
Duties towards Inanimate Objects
Duties towards Particular Classes of Human Beings
Duties of the Virtuous and the Vicious
Duties arising from Differences of Age
The Ultimate Destiny of the Human Race