This essay will be my last essay for this class. This is an example that my prof has given us that can guide us on how to write the essay. I am doing the essay preperation questions still. If you need more notes or a copy of Kant’s Metaphysics of morals or the Gospel of Matthew, I can give it to you. I also included some notes to guide you through the books , Grounding of Metaphysics of Morals and the Gospel of Matthew.
THIS IS THE WHOLE ESSAY QUESTION****
How does Kant demonstrate the supreme principle of morality (or “categorical imperative”) on the basis of reason? What is his core argument? Is Kant’s core argument in the Grounding consistent with the moral teaching of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew? Is the moral teaching of the Gospel rooted in reason? Is Kant’s rational argument rooted in biblical ideas, ideals, and values? How are the moral (rational?) teachings of both Kant and Jesus a critique of ancient Greek and Roman values?
Underlined parts are why and what the prof wants us to do. Quotations from the text are highly recommemed with explanation to them afterwards and page number.
Kant writes/expresses his thesis for the Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals( title must be
Italisized) in his opening lines. There is no possibility even of thinking of anything at all in the world, or
beyond it, that can be thought of as good “without qualification” except a good will (393). (This is a
paraphrase of the opening of the grounding, accurately)
(Mohammad immediately addresses the essay question)
(Need to explain “without qualification” and “good will” in the next sentences)
The only possible intrinsic good is the “summoning of all the means within our power”(394) to act from
a moral law which Kant calls a “categorical imperative”.
(After this sentence, you still need to explain it more)
And which he expresses using three different formulations. First, “I should never act in such a way that
I can also will that my maxim [subjective principle of the will ft.13, 400] should become a universal law
[subjective principle valid for everyone, ft.13, 400]” (402). Second, “Act in such a way that you treat
humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of another, always at the same time as an end
[who has absolute value] and never simply as a means[who has relative value]” (429)
(Now explain what maxim and universal law is in [^])
(Maxim is a subjective principle of the will^, universal law is a subjective principle valid for everyone^)
(MUST HAVE ANALYSIS OF CONCEPT
1. explanation/exploration of meaning
A. Must explain what he/she is trying to do
2. progression of through (it moves reader forward and towards a degree of understanding.))
Good example but can be better:
There are two concepts in Kant’s opening thesis that need explanation. The first concept is “without
qualification”. The second is “good will”. By “without qualification”, Kant means “intrinsically”. By
“good will”, Kant means “summoning all the means in our power’ to will a moral law.
Compare it at
The good will is a central concept in Kant’s Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals. Everyone must
act with a good will in order to be good. If one does not act with a good will one cannot be good.
Therefore, a good will is the most important part in human life. Without a good will, one cannot be
moral or live a moral life.
WHY THIS IS NOT GOOD
• It’s circulating too much
• There is no depth in the writing, no meaning
• What is the definition of these, need explanation (you are constantly using the same terms with no
explanation behind it)
Compare it at
Kant argues that every human being is bound to legislate (interpret and enact) a moral principle/law to
which he is found because he is free and has the power to think, That is, because he is a human being
and not an object.
OR. Moral law of his own reason. Unlike objects, he is free and has the power to think. He is thus
worthy of respect and therefore obligated to respect others (who are, as rational beings, like him).
OR. Moral law of his own reason, Unlike objects, persons are free and have the power to think. A
persons is thus worthy of respect and therefore obligated to respect others (who are, as rational
beings, like him).
WHY THIS IS GOOD
• There is substance
• The reading is moving forward
• Has meaning to it