more on this theme     |     more from this thinker


Single Idea 21408

[filed under theme 1. Philosophy / E. Nature of Metaphysics / 6. Metaphysics as Conceptual ]

Full Idea

A philosophy of any subject (a system of rational knowledge from concepts) requires a system of pure rational concepts independent of any conditions of intuition, that is, a metaphysics.

Clarification

'Intuition' is here (roughly) experience

Gist of Idea

For any subject, its system of non-experiential concepts needs a metaphysics

Source

Immanuel Kant (Metaphysics of Morals II:Doctrine of Virtue [1797], 375 Pref)

Book Ref

Kant,Immanuel: 'The Metaphysics of Morals', ed/tr. Gregor,Mary [CUP 1991], p.181


A Reaction

'Pure rational concepts' must be a priori, and (in Kant's case) transcendental - i.e. discovered from the study of presuppositions. Does this actually say that the philosophies of science, biology, psychology, economics etc each needs a metaphysics?


The 29 ideas from 'Metaphysics of Morals II:Doctrine of Virtue'

For any subject, its system of non-experiential concepts needs a metaphysics [Kant]
Moral principles do not involve feelings [Kant]
That a concept is not self-contradictory does not make what it represents possible [Kant]
A duty of virtue is a duty which is also an end [Kant]
Humans are distinguished from animals by their capacity to set themselves any sort of end [Kant]
Virtue is strong maxims for duty [Kant]
The supreme principle of virtue is to find universal laws for ends [Kant]
Duty is impossible without prior moral feeling, conscience, love and self-respect [Kant]
Philosophers should not offer multiple proofs - suggesting the weakness of each of them [Kant]
How do we distinguish a mean? The extremes can involve quite different maxims [Kant]
There is one principle of virtues; the virtues are distinguished by their objects [Kant]
If virtue becomes a habit, that is a loss of the freedom needed for adopting maxims [Kant]
If virtue is the mean between vices, then virtue is just the vanishing of vice [Kant]
Within nature man is unimportant, but as moral person he is above any price [Kant]
Moral self-knowledge is the beginning of all human wisdom [Kant]
Men can only have duties to those who qualify as persons [Kant]
Cruelty to animals is bad because it dulls our empathy for pain in humans [Kant]
We can love without respect, and show respect without love [Kant]
Respect is limiting our self-esteem by attending to the human dignity of other persons [Kant]
Disrespect is using a person as a mere means to my own ends [Kant]
Respect is purely negative (of not exalting oneself over others), and is thus a duty of Right [Kant]
Love urges us to get closer to people, but respect to keep our distance [Kant]
The duty of love is to makes the ends of others one's own [Kant]
The love of man is required in order to present the world as a beautiful and perfect moral whole [Kant]
Violation of rights deserves punishment, which is vengeance, rather than restitution [Kant]
We must respect the humanity even in a vicious criminal [Kant]
Man is both social, and unsociable [Kant]
We are obliged to show the social virtues, but at least they make a virtuous disposition fashionable [Kant]
All morality directs the will to love of others' ends, and respect for others' rights [Kant]