Tag Archives: Categorical Imperative

Kant’s Moral Philosophy Has Retained Its Radicalism

The philosopher Kant, who in the 1700s, set such a challenging ideal that continues to make us blush. (Extracted and translated, from a Finnish article by Jyrki Alenius – LINK TO ORIGINAL TEXT)

It is impossible to think of anything at all in the world, or indeed even beyond it, that could be considered good without limitation except a good will. (Immanuel Kant (1785) Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals)
 

Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) contributed one of the classic texts in moral philosophy with the publication of Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals. In his 1785 book, Kant introduces a radical new foundation for moral philosophy, which he called the “categorical imperative”. Kant’s founding set a challenging ideal for the manner in which moral action is to be justified. An ideal that makes contemporary commercial actors blush, for, their lack of engagement of Kant’s challenge.

 

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