Kant's Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals - Essay Example

Metaphysics of Morals A person has the free will to do anything one wants, however according to Kant in “Ground Work forthe Metaphysics of Moral”; the will of a person is bound by moral law if that will is free. According to Kant, “An act from obligation has its moral worth, in the maxi, in accord with which is obvious of and as a result does not depend upon the attainment of the object of the action but purely upon the norm of violation in accord with which the action is” (Kant and Allen, 34).

This means that the real or the intended consequences of an action does not determine moral worth of an action. The moral worth is determined by the principle acted upon. Therefore, as a Kantian, taking coffee from the automated machine to meet the addiction is morally worth since the airline pilot is on duty and he or she works for the airline. Taking coffee from an automated machine that belongs to the airline for his good and of the passages is morally good. In addition to that, Kant argues that “true inclination of purpose must be to yield a will that is upright” (Kant and Allen, 31), in other words, Kant that the actions done by a man should serve another purpose that is good.

The primary intention of the airliner is to be sober while piloting the plane. His intentions and motives are clear. He does not want to consume the coffee to satisfy his natural pleasure. Therefore, according to Kant, the action of him taking coffee without paying is morally accepted. Finally as a Kantian, it is good to seek assistance and permission from any attendant who is around. By doing so it one creates a channel of order or law in which other people would follow if cornered by such a situation.

Kant observes that “I should never act apart from in a way that my maxim had better become a law that is universally accepted”, (Kant and Allen, 74) Kant is arguing one should do something with the understanding that whatever they are doing can become a law through which other people will be allowed to do the same thing. As a Kantian it is therefore good to use the right channels in obtaining the coffee. The airline pilot can look for an attendant to the automated machine and present his request.

In doing so, he creates a law in which other people in a situation like his will follow to be helped. As to conclusion, a person has the free will to do anything one wants, however according to Kant in “Ground Work for the Metaphysics of Moral”; the will of a person is bound by moral law if that will is free. This is to say that a Kantian should do things that do not compromise their moral worth, things out of good will and take actions that can be used by others as law. Works Cited Kant, Immanuel and Allen W. Wood. Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Moral.

New Haven: Yale UP, 2002.