Jens Timmermann

This article discusses Kant's distinction between right and ethics as developed in his Metaphysics of Morals, 6:218-221 and 6:390. According to Kant, ethical as well as juridical laws are laws of freedom. I will argue that although both types of laws have unconditional binding force, law and ethics differ in how obligations can be claimed within their respective spheres of legislation. While a subject can be externally coerced to act according to juridical laws, ethical laws require that the agent performs his duty from a moral disposition.

Building on the results of the Groundwork and the Critique of Practical Reason, Kant finally published his system of moral philosophy in two volumes in 1797. By then, he had been planning to write a Metaphysics of Morals for three decades; but only the title remained unchanged while the basic principles of his theoretical and practical philosophy changed dramatically. While for many years academic moral philosophy focused mainly on Kant’s earlier ethical treatises, there has recently been much interest in this later and perhaps more mature work on moral philosophy, particularly the ethical part of the Metaphysics of Morals, the “Metaphysical Principles of the Doctrine of Virtue” or “Tugendlehre”. The present volume responds to these demands. Following a series of research workshops, 18 scholars from Germany, Italy, Britain and the United States provide a seamless commentary on the “Doctrine of Virtue”, discussing topics such as suicide, truthfulness, moral perfection, beneficence, gratitude, sympathy, respect and friendship as well as Kant’s moral psychology, philosophy of action and theory of moral education. This book will be an invaluable resource for moral philosophers and Kant scholars alike.