Autonomy of the will from "summary" of Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysic of Morals by Immanuel Kant
Autonomy of the will is the property of the will by which it is a law to itself (independently of any property of the objects of volition). A will whose maxims necessarily coincide with the laws of autonomy is a holy, absolutely good will. The principle of autonomy is a synthetic a priori practical proposition. A free will and a will under moral laws are one and the same. The moral law is a necessary and universal law, for it commands categorically. Autonomy of the will is the foundation of all moral laws. The will is a faculty of determining oneself to action in accordance with the representation of certain laws. The concept of autonomy of the will is the basis for the moral law, which is the supreme principle of morality. The moral law is not based on any external authority but arises from the autonomy of the will itself. The moral law commands categorically, meaning that it is unconditional and applies to all rational beings. A will that acts in accordance with the moral law is a free will, as it is not determined by any external factors but by its own rational nature. The autonomy of the will is what distinguishes a truly moral action from a merely prudential or self-interested one. A morally good will is one that acts from duty, not from inclination or self-interest. Such a will is motivated by the recognition of the moral law as binding on all rational beings, including oneself. The moral law is universal and necessary, applying to all rational beings in all circumstances.- Autonomy of the will is the foundational principle of morality, as it is the basis for the moral law that governs the actions of rational beings. A will that acts in accordance with the moral law is a free will, determined by its own rational nature rather than external influences. The autonomy of the will is what gives moral actions their moral worth, distinguishing them from actions motivated by mere self-interest or inclination.
Similar Posts
Create a daily routine that promotes focus
One way to help your child develop better focus is by establishing a daily routine that supports their ability to concentrate. ...
Personal autonomy is both a privilege and a burden
Personal autonomy, the ability to make independent decisions and act in accordance with one's own will, is often seen as a priv...
The context in which choices are made can impact the decision
In the world of decision-making, the environment in which choices are presented plays a crucial role in shaping our decisions. ...
Cultivating healthy relationships
Healthy relationships are built on a foundation of respect, trust, and communication. When we cultivate healthy relationships, ...
Social interactions influence individual development
The development of an individual is greatly shaped by the social interactions they engage in throughout their life. These inter...
Embracing ambiguity is a form of ethical courage
The concept of embracing ambiguity as a form of ethical courage is a central theme in The Ethics of Ambiguity. This idea challe...
Autonomy empowers individuals to make decisions and take risks
Autonomy is the freedom to direct our own lives. It is the desire to be self-directed, to have a say in what we do and how we d...
Master morality embraces selfassertion
Master morality is characterized by a fundamental embrace of self-assertion. Those who adhere to this moral code prioritize the...
Authority should be questioned rather than blindly obeyed
Throughout history, individuals have often been taught to unquestionably follow authority figures without challenging their dec...
Ethical principles are discovered through rational inquiry
Ethical principles, according to Kant, are not something that can be arbitrarily chosen or imposed upon individuals from an ext...