Kant's Doctrine of Virtue (Week 2)

The Metaphysics of Morals (1798) is Kant's last major work on practical philosophy although its publication had been Kant's aim from his earliest writings. The book represents Kant's last positions on a range of issues in moral and political philosophy, filling out and refining many issues and doctrines contained in the Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals (1785) and the Critique of Practical Reason (1789). Until recently, the Metaphysics of Morals has attracted far less attention than the two earlier works, and it's increasingly recognized that this has lead to serious errors and distortions in the popular image of Kantian ethics.

The Metaphysics of Morals is divided into two parts, which were originally published separately. The first part, the "Doctrine of Right", sets forth the rational idea of a peaceful community of all nations and the fundamental, coercively-enforceable principles governing interpersonal conduct within nations. The second part, the "Doctrine of Virtue", develops Kant's conception of a morally virtuous human being, and accounts of particular (non-enforceable) ethical duties, including duties to oneself and duties to others.

Among the virtues Kant discusses and attempts to ground are those of self-respect, honesty, thrift, self-improvement, beneficence, gratitude, sociability, and forgiveness.

Particular vices discussed include malice, gluttony, greed, laziness, vengefulness, envy, servility, contempt, and arrogance.

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Our Kant reading continues with the Doctrine of Virtue - the second half of the Metaphysics of Morals.

No prior experience with Kant is necessary.

Reading Schedule (pages are from Cambridge's Practical Philosophy collection):

Week 1:
Preface and Introduction (509-540; 31 pages)

Week 2:
Part 1 Introduction, and Book 1 on Perfect Duties (543-564; 21 pages)

Week 3:
Book 2 on Imperfect Duties (565-588; 23 pages)

Week 4:
Method of Ethics (591-603; 12 pages)

PDF: https://usa1lib.org/book/1104893/888f82

There are numerous editions (and free translations available online), but this collection contains all of Kant's Practical Philosophy in translation:
http://www.amazon.com/Practical-Philosophy-Cambridge-Works-Immanuel/dp/0521654084/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1445894099&sr=8-1