Single Idea 5632

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / D. Deontological Ethics / 6. Motivation for Duty]

Full Idea

Everyone regards moral laws as commands, which they could not be if they did not connect consequences with their rule a priori, and thus carry with them promises and threats, which must lie in a necessary being as the highest good.

Gist of Idea

Moral laws are commands, which must involve promises and threats, which only God could provide

Source

Immanuel Kant (Critique of Pure Reason [1781], B839/A811)

Book Reference

Kant,Immanuel: 'Critique of Pure Reason', ed/tr. Guyer,P /Wood,A W [CUO 1998], p.680


A Reaction

This reveals the thinking of Kant's moral argument for God rather more nakedly than elsewhere.