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(p.10)
Here, Kant provides further explanation to the nature of the good will. The goodwill is good by itself, not by virtue of what it accomplishes (like, say, Rousseau’s “General Will”, which functions as a floating spiritual entity that represents the decision that resulted in best outcome for all). What has been purposefully configured has constituent parts that are most suitable – the faculty of reason cannot be achieving happiness; rather it is a practical faculty meant to shape our will.
Moral actions must be born from duty, not inclination. The moral worth of these actions comes not from their intended purpose, but in the maxim that resolved it: the principle of the will.
The question of “ethics” as raised in the Calvin and Hobbes comic above poses the question: do the ends justify the means? John Stuart Mill might say yes – his form of utilitarianism holds that what matters is the aggregate happiness; the happiness of everyone and not the happiness of any particular person. This question doesn’t hold weight in Kant’s universe, for the outcome is not even considered – instead, it’s action as according to the the good will, the higher consideration of pure reason.
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What do the daughters have to say about Chua’s controversial style of parenting? Sophia wrote a post for the NY Post on why she loves her “strict Chinese mom”.
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
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What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
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Check out what Slow Dakota had to say in his verified annotations on “Burstner Speaks II”.
He explained the intertwined references:
The name of a minor female character in Franz Kafka’s “The Trial.” The Bürstner in this album is not the same character, of course, but the reference demonstrates the album’s reliance on the aesthetic, religious metaphor, and absurdity in Kafka’s novel.
Kafka’s novel, like the album, is about responsibility; The Trial’s protagonist is accused of a crime he knows nothing about, and then must cope with the inevitability of a trial.
The novel is largely a retelling of the book of Job, on which Bürstner and the Baby also relies for its structure of alternating dialogue. The Baby Speaks, Bürstner Speaks, etc. recall the Book of Job’s chapters: The Lord Speaks, Job Speaks, etc.
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
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(p. 9)
Kant underscores the crucial importance of good will.
Understanding, wit, judgement (aka qualities of temperament) are only moral if they have a good will to correct the influence of those qualities on the mind.
Same goes for power, riches, honor, even well-being and satisfaction with oneself (aka gifts of fortune) – incomplete and vulnerable to corruption without a good will.
Please provide the margin numbers for the quote since other people might have different versions/editions of the book making it difficult to locate in each version of the text.