Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals/On a Supposed Right to Lie Because of Philanthropic Concerns

Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals/On a Supposed Right to Lie Because of Philanthropic Concerns

3.76 of 5 stars 3.76  ·  rating details  ·  811 ratings  ·  16 reviews
This expanded edition of James Ellington’s preeminent translation includes Ellington’s new translation of Kant’s essay “Of a Supposed Right to Lie Because of Philanthropic Concerns” in which Kant replies to one of the standard objections to his moral theory as presented in the main text: that it requires us to tell the truth even in the face of disastrous consequences.
Paperback, 3rd Edition, 78 pages
Published June 1st 1993 by Hackett
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Eric Phetteplace
I suspended disbelief & enjoyed this work. Kant does a spectacular job of thoroughly deriving a morality, always working hard to establish a solid theoretical basis & never giving in to exceptions or defaulting to common sense. The book peaks midway through the second section, when the categorical imperative is made more explicit & examples worked through. The third section, while admittedly difficult to follow, did a good job of side-stepping the issue of freedom vs. determinism &...more
Elizabeth
Everyone seems to complain that the text is dry and hard to follow, but honestly, it's not bad at all. I read it as a freshman, and it was probably the first philosophy that I'd read that dealt so strongly in absolutes. I was impressed by his vehement (and gutsy) assertion that a priori principles must still apply empirically, regardless of the situation's specific details.

It's been years since I've read this, and Kant still stands out in my mind as one of the most powerful philosophers that I'...more
Chris Byron
I have little to add that my friend, and fellow goodreads reviewer Jesse Lopes, hasn't already stated. The title of the book is Kant's overall objective, i.e., he wants to lay the groundwork for the metaphysics of morals. He is giving the reader a foundational structure, within the confines of our reason, that we can deduce our ethical duty from. Kant is highly suspicious, as a matter of fact, entirely distrusting, of any ethical system that could be deduced from empirical observation/experience...more
Greg
No one would argue that Kant is easy to read. His thoughts are packed tightly behind meticulously chosen vocabulary. Additionally, to really understand Kant the reader must be versed in the intricacies of his philosophy, or the finer points will be missed. His "Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals" is no different in this respect, but the barriers to entry can be overcome with a little background research, and the reader will find his thought quite provoking and rewarding.

This volume is a sho...more
Frankie
This is my small taste of Kant to determine whether to move forward in his texts. Grounding is a sort of intro to his Metaphysics of Morals, and is complex enough on its own. Three steps or transitions climb in difficulty. By the third I was barely cognizant. Despite the eighteenth century simplicity, filtered through the translator as well, the concepts don't exactly fall into neat rows. It reminds me of a complex math course: if you miss a step you have to start over.

Kant's categorical imperat...more
Jeremy Egerer
Worth a read because Kant will make you think... but only because he takes "reason" to its most unreasonable extreme, and forces you to wonder through the entire book whether you're being conned. If this book is true, then Jesus wasn't technically moral, who "for the glory set before Him, endured the cross," since Kant says only dutiful actions with no possible incentives are truly moral.

Lastly, the entire book is about how the conscience operates according to a different set of rules than the n...more
Jesse Lopes
What is so very fascinating about this book, and it is an accessible Kantian text I should say (he's very liberal with examples in this one, after all), is that Kant begins by saying that, certainly we have got reason for a reason, and if, as the empiricists claim, we have reason to make us happy, nothing is more unsuited to its purpose in the world! Therefore, reason is with us for a higher purpose. Now, everyone knows Kant says morality is derivable from reason alone, but not everyone realizes...more
Michael
Most of what we think about Kant's ethics can be found in this short, but profound, piece of Philosophy. Kant spells out his fundamental moral concepts of the categorical imperative, the kind of ends and perfect and imperfect duties. This is a concise and accessible read, well worth the time for anyone who wants to understand Kant's moral theory.
Leslie
How can you say what you learn from someone who defined our moral culture to the extent that Kant did? I am learning about the formulations of the categorical imperative...

Okay, I need to take a moment to rant here. I don't expect that anyone will read my review or care, but how can "Married to a Stranger" have better overall reviews than this book?!? Something that contributes nothing to the human race, that will not be read after this generation, as opposed to something that contributes profou...more
Chandler
Thick as a brick wall in material and hard to read. Tried to use this for closing arguments at a trial in its concepts of morality and ethics, but it was even too dense for that. Made even less sense than it did in Philosophy 101 back in college.
Zac
May 08, 2007 Zac rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: It's pretty hard to say...
It's tragic that this is the most accessible thing Kant wrote to introduce us to his ethics. Tremendous insight locked inside impenetrable text.

If you're going to read this, make sure you have enough light.
John Yelverton
I "Kant" tell you just how morally bankrupt this book actually is.
Paul
Tough read, very dry.
TJ
Phil 381 History of Ethics
Josh
Kant and I have problems.
Sharif
so far so good
Scott Campbell
May 20, 2013 Scott Campbell marked it as to-read
Paul Turney
May 16, 2013 Paul Turney marked it as to-read
Annie
May 16, 2013 Annie marked it as to-read
Tommy
May 16, 2013 Tommy marked it as to-read
Shelves: sophy
Seng Theara
May 15, 2013 Seng Theara marked it as to-read
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Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals/On a Supposed Right to Lie Because of Philanthropic Concerns (Hardcover)
Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals/On a Supposed Right to Lie Because of Philanthropic Concerns (Paperback)
Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals/On a Supposed Right to Lie Because of Philanthropic Concerns (Kindle Edition)
Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals/On a Supposed Right to Lie Because of Philanthropic Concerns (Paperback)
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Immanuel Kant was an 18th-century German philosopher from the Prussian city of Königsberg (now Kaliningrad, Russia). He is regarded as one of the most influential thinkers of modern Europe and of the late Enlightenment.

His most important work is The Critique of Pure Reason, a critical investigation of reason itself. It encompasses an attack on traditional metaphysics and epistemology, and highligh...more
More about Immanuel Kant...
Critique of Pure Reason Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals (Texts in the History of Philosophy) Critique of Practical Reason (Texts in the History of Philosophy) Prolegomena to Any Future Metaphysics Critique of Judgment

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