Single Idea 7105

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / D. Deontological Ethics / 1. Deontology]

Full Idea

It has been argued that by 'maxim' Kant does not mean a specific intention for some discrete act, but the underlying intention by which the agent orchestrates his numerous more specific intentions, ...which leads to a virtue reading of Kant.

Gist of Idea

If 'maxims' are deeper underlying intentions, Kant can be read as a virtue theorist

Source

report of Immanuel Kant (Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals [1785]) by Daniel Statman - Introduction to Virtue Ethics §7

Book Reference

'Virtue Ethics', ed/tr. Statman,Daniel [Edinburgh 1997], p.28


A Reaction

Kant admired virtue of character, and would want to fit it into the framework of his moral duties. Nevertheless a virtue would often seem to be beyond words, and principles seem to crumble in the face of complex cases.