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Single Idea 21422
[filed under theme 1. Philosophy / A. Wisdom / 1. Nature of Wisdom
]
Full Idea
Moral self-knowledge, which seeks to penetrate into the depths (the abyss) of one's heart that are quite difficult to fathom, is the beginning of all human wisdom.
Gist of Idea
Moral self-knowledge is the beginning of all human wisdom
Source
Immanuel Kant (Metaphysics of Morals II:Doctrine of Virtue [1797], 441 I.I)
Book Ref
Kant,Immanuel: 'The Metaphysics of Morals', ed/tr. Gregor,Mary [CUP 1991], p.236
A Reaction
I'm not clear what I am supposed to be looking for on this quest. I'm guessing that being completely honest about one's own maxims in moral action would be a good start. And maybe confronting one's murkier desires.
Related Idea
Idea 519
One must avoid even speaking of evil deeds [Democritus (attr)]
The
29 ideas
from 'Metaphysics of Morals II:Doctrine of Virtue'
21408
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For any subject, its system of non-experiential concepts needs a metaphysics
[Kant]
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21409
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Moral principles do not involve feelings
[Kant]
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21410
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That a concept is not self-contradictory does not make what it represents possible
[Kant]
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21411
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A duty of virtue is a duty which is also an end
[Kant]
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21412
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Humans are distinguished from animals by their capacity to set themselves any sort of end
[Kant]
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21413
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Virtue is strong maxims for duty
[Kant]
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21414
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The supreme principle of virtue is to find universal laws for ends
[Kant]
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21415
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Duty is impossible without prior moral feeling, conscience, love and self-respect
[Kant]
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21416
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Philosophers should not offer multiple proofs - suggesting the weakness of each of them
[Kant]
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21417
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How do we distinguish a mean? The extremes can involve quite different maxims
[Kant]
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21418
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There is one principle of virtues; the virtues are distinguished by their objects
[Kant]
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21419
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If virtue becomes a habit, that is a loss of the freedom needed for adopting maxims
[Kant]
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21420
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If virtue is the mean between vices, then virtue is just the vanishing of vice
[Kant]
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21421
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Within nature man is unimportant, but as moral person he is above any price
[Kant]
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21422
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Moral self-knowledge is the beginning of all human wisdom
[Kant]
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21423
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Men can only have duties to those who qualify as persons
[Kant]
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21424
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Cruelty to animals is bad because it dulls our empathy for pain in humans
[Kant]
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21425
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We can love without respect, and show respect without love
[Kant]
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21427
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Respect is limiting our self-esteem by attending to the human dignity of other persons
[Kant]
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21430
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Disrespect is using a person as a mere means to my own ends
[Kant]
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21428
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Respect is purely negative (of not exalting oneself over others), and is thus a duty of Right
[Kant]
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21426
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Love urges us to get closer to people, but respect to keep our distance
[Kant]
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21429
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The duty of love is to makes the ends of others one's own
[Kant]
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21431
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The love of man is required in order to present the world as a beautiful and perfect moral whole
[Kant]
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21433
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Violation of rights deserves punishment, which is vengeance, rather than restitution
[Kant]
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21434
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We must respect the humanity even in a vicious criminal
[Kant]
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21435
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Man is both social, and unsociable
[Kant]
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21436
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We are obliged to show the social virtues, but at least they make a virtuous disposition fashionable
[Kant]
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21437
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All morality directs the will to love of others' ends, and respect for others' rights
[Kant]
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