more from Immanuel Kant

Single Idea 7625

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

Full Idea

We can reverse the terms of the comparison and ask not how rational is goodness, but why is it good to be rational?

Gist of Idea

We can ask how rational goodness is, but also why is rationality good

Source

comment on Immanuel Kant (Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals [1785]) by Hilary Putnam - Reason, Truth and History

Book Reference

Putnam,Hilary: 'Reason, Truth and History' [CUP 1998], p.174


A Reaction

[Putnam doesn't mention Kant]. This seems to me to be the biggest question for Kant. See Idea 1403. The main point of tbe romantic movement, I take it, is that purely rational living does not bring happiness or fulfilment.

Related Idea

Idea 1403 A rational donkey would starve to death between two totally identical piles of hay [Buridan, by PG]