Kant's System of Duties

Abstract

Abstract This chapter argues that both juridical and ethical duties are based on the principle of the absolute value of freedom, and constitute a system erected on that principle, although only juridical duties can be coercively enforced. The systematic relation among ethical duties is interpreted as a hierarchy: first preserve the existence of free agents, then the possibility of their exercising their freedom, then promote their ability to pursue their freely chosen ends effectively, then promote their freely chosen ends directly. Finally, the possibility of resolving conflicts among grounds of obligation is also a requisite of systematicity.