The motivation behind an action is what gives it moral worth, not the outcome from "summary" of Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals by Immanuel Kant
According to Immanuel Kant, the moral worth of an action is not determined by its outcome, but rather by the motivation behind it. In other words, what makes an action morally praiseworthy is the intention with which it is performed, not the consequences that result from it. Kant argues that we must act out of a sense of duty, rather than for the sake of achieving a particular goal or desired outcome. For Kant, the only truly good thing is a good will. This means that an action can only have moral worth if it is done out of a sense of duty and in accordance with moral principles. If someone performs a good deed out of self-interest or with ulterior motives, their action does not have moral worth, regardless of the positive consequences that may result from it. Kant uses the example of a shopkeeper who gives a fair price to all of his customers not because he wants to maintain a good reputation or attract more business, but simply because it is the right thing to do. In this case, the shopkeeper's action has moral worth because it is motivated by a sense of duty and a commitment to following moral principles, rather than by any external factors. On the other hand, if the shopkeeper gives a fair price to his customers only because he wants to maintain a good reputation and attract more business, his action does not have moral worth, even if the outcome is the same. According to Kant, it is the motivation behind an action that gives it moral worth, not the consequences that result from it. In summary, Kant's moral philosophy emphasizes the importance of acting out of a sense of duty and following moral principles, rather than being motivated by self-interest or the desire for a particular outcome. By focusing on the intention behind our actions, we can determine their moral worth and strive to act in a way that is truly good and virtuous.
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