The Formula of Autonomy in Kant’s Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals: Finite Rational Agents as Legislators

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In the second section of the Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, Kant argues that the will of every rational being gives universal moral law. Kant believes that this statement, normally referred to as the Formula of Autonomy, follows both from his Formula of Universal Law and Formula of Humanity. Together, these three formulas constitute the basis of Kant’s moral system. Kant must persuade his readers to believe that they have an interest in following this system, obeying moral laws, and doing their duty—he must convince readers that the moral law applies to them. He argues that the moral law applies to us because of the very nature of our finite rational will. If this is true, then we must view ourselves as the authors of the moral law, and consequently reject any maxims inconsistent with the autonomous moral law. In nearly every other, non-moral system of laws governing humanity, the laws and their authority come from an external source. The only reason we obey such external authorities is some other interest, not any inherent value. For example, the state in which we live creates laws that are binding on us. We obey the laws of the state because we have an interest in not going to prison, or not being executed, or not being ostracized. These external authorities can therefore only bind us in regard to hypothetical imperatives (i.e., if we want to avoid some punishment, we ought to follow the state’s laws). In contrast, in order for finite rational beings to do moral duties (necessarily in the form of categorical imperatives) because they are moral duties, the authority of the moral law must come from within, from our intrinsic nature. When we rationally will some end and consequently will the means to that end, we impli... ... middle of paper ... ...ill that their maxim for that action should become a universal law, and if it’s true that rational agents ought to always treat all other finite rational beings as n end in themselves and never merely as a means, then it must be true that rational agents, as ends in themselves, create the universal moral law. Systems of heteronomous moral laws cannot apply to all finite rational beings because they necessarily create hypothetical, rather than categorical imperatives. In order for moral laws to apply to all finite rational beings in all circumstances, they must be in the form of categorical imperatives. Furthermore, they must result from the very nature of the finite rational will. Kant argues that together, his Formula of Universal Law, Formula of Humanity, and Formula of Autonomy constitute such a system, allowing for the exercise of the full capacity of reason.

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