Immanuel Kant: elucidations on education and moral development

Abstract

This text seeks to present the contributions of the philosopher Immanuel Kant with regard to pedagogical practice and its relationship with the development of morality. These themes are found in his works: Foundations of the Metaphysics of Customs (1785), Critique of Practical Reason (1788) and On Pedagogy (1803). Based on these, the aim is to present some of the philosopher's points about the importance of instruction for the moral formation of the individual, based on the understanding that negative discipline and positive instruction are essential elements in this construction. For Kant, education must begin in childhood and be geared towards moral evolution, since it is not innate and must be cultivated. This morality, according to Kant, needs to be based exclusively on reason, since all humans are equally rational and all are subject to the same moral law. As a result, the action must be performed out of respect for the moral law, even if it is contrary to personal inclinations or brings harm to the agent himself. In order to be sure that your action is in accordance with the moral law, you need to reflect on the possibility of its universalization, in other words, whether it can be carried out by all human beings without harming anyone. In this sense, only morality based entirely on reason can preserve the dignity of human beings and promote their progress.