Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals

Kant begins the section with a characterization of a good will. He writes that a good will can inspire an unlimited amount of goodness in an individual and a community. However, for these “talents” to make a positive impact in the world, they must “presuppose a good will” (9, 4:394). This means people must use their gifts with positive intentions. To properly evaluate these intentions, we should focus on their desired outcome, which Kant describes as ends. He argues that an end has “full worth in itself” (10, 4:394). Furthermore, a will ought to be “good in itself” and not good for accomplishing something else.

Kant then pivots to the specific composition of humanity and explains why humans are specifically cut out to understand morality. Every living creature’s natural composition makes them attuned for a specific purpose. Human beings are meant to pursue “preservation” and “happiness” (11, 4:395). However, our capacity for reason can make this difficult. Kant envisions all humans as fighting an intellectual battle between happiness and reason. Reason dictates we pursue ends that are good in themselves, but our desires for happiness may incentivize us to behave selfishly. A comprehensive understanding of morality allows us to center reason in our decision making and actions while still adhering to our desire for self-preservation.