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Single Idea 22262

[filed under theme 23. Ethics / D. Deontological Ethics / 2. Duty ]

Full Idea

Given the stringent demands of the Kantian ethic, the moral law would seem almost to require a foundation in nothing, for any empirical precondition would undermine its priority.

Gist of Idea

Kant's moral law has no foundation - because that would undermine its priority

Source

Michael J. Sandel (Procedural republic and unencumbered self [1984], 'Kantian')

Book Ref

Sandel,Michael J.: 'Public Philosophy: Essays' [Harvard 2005], p.159

A Reaction

The idea of a value with 'a foundation in nothing' is particular anathema to me, because my project is to find a foundation for everything (in nature, which is the Given). Kant's only foundational value seems to be rational consistency.

The 33 ideas from Michael J. Sandel

22258 Passion for progress is always short-lived [Sandel]
22259 Conservatives are either individualistic, or communal [Sandel]
22260 Modern liberalism fails to articulate a vision of the common good [Sandel]
21028 We can approach justice through welfare, or freedom, or virtue [Sandel]
21027 Justice concerns how a society distributes what it prizes - wealth, rights, power and honours [Sandel]
21034 A just constitution harmonises the different freedoms [Sandel]
21032 Speak truth only to those who deserve the truth [Sandel]
21033 Careful evasions of truth at least show respect for it [Sandel]
21030 The categorical imperative is not the Golden Rule, which concerns contingent desires [Sandel]
21031 Man cannot dispose of himself, because he is not a thing to be owned [Sandel]
21036 Not all deals are fair deals [Sandel]
21038 Does consent create the obligation, or must there be some benefit? [Sandel]
21039 Moral contracts involve both consent and reciprocity; making the deal, and keeping it [Sandel]
21035 Just visiting (and using roads) is hardly ratifying the Constitution [Sandel]
21037 A ratified constitution may not be a just constitution [Sandel]
21040 Libertarians just want formal equality in a free market; the meritocratic view wants fair equality [Sandel]
21043 Distributive justice concern deserts, as well as who gets what [Sandel]
21042 Should we redress wrongs done by a previous generation? [Sandel]
21048 Work is not fair if it is negotiated, even in a fair situation, but if it suits the nature of the worker [Sandel]
21045 Teleological thinking is essential for social and political issues [Sandel]
21049 Liberal freedom was a response to assigned destinies like caste and class [Sandel]
21052 Justice is about how we value things, and not just about distributions [Sandel]
20594 Choosers in the 'original position' have been stripped of most human characteristics [Sandel, by Tuckness/Wolf]
21120 The self is 'unencumbered' if it can abandon its roles and commitments without losing identity [Sandel, by Shorten]
22267 In the liberal view an insult to my group doesn't hurt me, since I'm defined by choices not groups [Sandel]
22268 If persons define themselves by a group membership, insults to that group are a real harm [Sandel]
22266 The case for religious liberty depends on the religion contributing to a morally good life [Sandel]
22265 I can't defend the view that the majority values of a community are thereby right [Sandel]
22805 Liberalism concerns rights, and communitarianism concerns the common good [Sandel, by Avineri/De-Shalit]
22262 Kant's moral law has no foundation - because that would undermine its priority [Sandel]
22264 Modern liberal rights in democracies protect individuals against the majority [Sandel]
22261 Liberals say rights always come first, and justice is neutral on social values [Sandel]
22263 Liberal justice means the withdrawal of the self, as transcendental or as unencumbered [Sandel]