The Supreme Principle of Morality

Abstract

Since the nature of the limits of theoretical philosophy has been revealed in its problems with the notion of freedom it is fitting now to turn to Kant’s first decisive contribution in his critical period to practical philos-ophy, the Groundwork for a Metaphpics of Morals.1 This work, the most widely read of Kant’s contributions to practical philosophy, is one whose significance is often misunderstood. The fact that this work is set for reading by undergraduates has tended to give it the status for many stu-dents of philosophy of being Kant’s major contribution to moral philos-ophy. The fact is, however, that Kant very clearly did not intend this work be read in this manner. As the title of the work indicates, it is intended as preparatory to a consideration of the key questions of moral philosophy. Its task is also defined by Kant in a very clear and narrow mariner when he writes that it intended to encompass ‘nothing more than the search for and establishment of the supreme principle of morality, which constitutes a business that in its purpose is complete and to be kept apart from every other moral investigation’ (Ak. 4:392).2