Single Idea 1454

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 2. Happiness / c. Value of happiness]

Full Idea

Morality is not properly the doctrine of how we should make ourselves happy, but how we should become worthy of happiness.

Gist of Idea

Morality is not about making ourselves happy, but about being worthy of happiness

Source

Immanuel Kant (Critique of Practical Reason [1788], I.II.II.V)

Book Reference

Kant,Immanuel: 'Critique of Practical Reason (Third edition)', ed/tr. Beck,Lewis White [Library of Liberal Arts 1993], p.136


A Reaction

Whatever else you think of Kant's moral theory, this remark is a clarion call we can all recognise. Suppose we all somehow ended up in a state of maximal happiness by systematically betraying one another.

Related Ideas

Idea 18675 Kant may rate two things as finally valuable: having a good will, and deserving happiness [Orsi on Kant]

Idea 18234 The good will is unconditionally good, because it is the only possible source of value [Kant, by Korsgaard]

Idea 240 It would be strange if the gods rewarded those who experienced the most pleasure in life [Plato]