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“Two things fill the mind with ever new and increasing
admiration and awe, the oftener and the more steadily we think
of them: the starry heavens above, and the moral law within.”
-Kant, Critique of Pure Reasons
Men propose, pursue, and promote different ends and aims, in the
exercise of their free choice, and, likewise, provide different ways and means for
the attainment of such ends, but in no way and by no means should a person be
used or exploited against his will as a means to further the selfish ends of any
other person or group of person.
Kant foresaw the possible pernicious effects of his own theory when
applied to the realm of human conduct. Thus, to save morality from the possible
disastrous consequences of his self-created agnosticism, Kant postulated the
existence in man of practical reason (or will) distinct from man’s pure speculative
reason. Kant conceived his theory of the already aforementioned autonomy of
reason.
According to the theory of autonomy of reason, man can know with absolute
certainty, by the light of practical reason, with the laws of morality which are
universal and absolutely binding on all men of all times and places. Man’s
practical reason does not only know the moral law, it makes the law and at the
same time commands that the law should be obeyed unconditionally.
“There is nothing truly good,” Kant says, but the good will. The term
good will, in the Kantian sense, signifies the free will of man ever motivated and
inspired by DUTY.
A good will, which acts solely from the pure sense of duty, out of
pure reverence for the law, no matter what the consequences or circumstances
may be, is good in itself. It is like a jewel that shines by itself and preserves its
intrinsic worth no matter on what position or setting it may be placed. It is GOOD
WILL OR SENSE OF DUTY that turns thoughts and actions to Gold.
3. Act as a rational and free being from the pure sense of duty.