Duty & The Good Will

Question 1

What defines a good will according to Kant?

Answer 1

A good will is held by a person who has the right intention when performing their duty.

Question 2

After using reason to determine our duty, how should we act according to Kant?

Answer 2

We should act purely out of a sense of duty, leaving out personal feelings and desires.

Question 3

What does “duty for duty’s sake” mean in Kantian ethics?

Answer 3

: It means performing an action solely because it is our duty, not because of any personal feelings or desires.

Question 4

Give an example of acting out of duty versus in accordance with duty.

Answer 4

If it is our duty to give money to charity, we should do it because it is our duty, not because we feel sympathy. Acting out of duty is morally valid; acting in accordance with duty but motivated by personal feelings is not.

Question 5

According to Kant, what is the only morally valid motivation for an action?

Answer 5

Respect for the moral law.

Question 6

Is it morally wrong to act on our desires in accordance with duty according to Kant?

Answer 6

It is not morally wrong, but it cannot be considered morally right either.

Question 7

How does Kant illustrate the concept of good will with the example of the shopkeeper?

Answer 7

A shopkeeper who lowers prices to attract more customers acts out of self-interest, while another who does the same out of fairness to customers acts out of a sense of duty. Only the latter has a good will.