The Critique of Practical Reason II

Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysic of Morals is the first inquiry of Immanuel Kant's mature period in the field of moral philosophy, and remains one of the most influential in the field.

Kant conceives his inquiry as a work of fundamental ethics, which clears the ground for further research by explaining the basic concepts and principles of moral theory and demonstrating that they are normative for rational agents. Kant aspires to nothing less than this: to lay bare the fundamental principle of morality and show that it applies to us.

In the text, Kant offers an innovative argument that the rightness of an action is determined by the character of the principle by which a person chooses to act.

The Critique of Practical Reason was published in 1788 and is Kant's second critique, being a continuation of the Critique of Pure Reason. It deals with moral philosophy and had a great influence on its development and also on the development of the field of ethics, becoming, during the 20th century, the main point of reference of deontological moral philosophy.

According to Immanuel Kant, the second Critique was more accessible than the first, and to the readers who accused him of writing incomprehensible jargon, he challenged them to find a more adequate language for his ideas or to demonstrate that his writings were really meaningless.

Moreover, the German philosopher claimed that many of the flaws critics found in his arguments were actually in their own brains, since they were too lazy to understand his ethical system as a whole.

The Metaphysical Elements of Ethics is a classic philosophy text written by one of the most influential thinkers of the Enlightenment. In it, Kant addresses some of the most complex ideas about how human beings can discern the right way to live.

In addition, the author explains how each of us can be happy and at the same time follow an inner sense of duty, as he considered that the greatest moral perfection is to do our duty.

We can consider this work as an important contribution to the philosophy of living life to do what is right for everyone. Although it is a very technically advanced book and with a reading that could be considered heavy, we recommend it for those interested in this area of ethics and for anyone interested in broadening their intellectual horizons.

The Science of Right is the first part of Immanuel Kant's work of political and moral philosophy, The Metaphysics of Morals. It presents a lucid and straightforward discussion of society, dealing specifically with the rights that people have or can acquire.

Published separately in February 1797, it is one of the last examples of classical republicanism in political philosophy. It also contains the most mature of Kant's statements on the project of peace and a system of law guaranteeing individual rights.

This work was also translated into English as Doctrine of Right or the Metaphysical Elements of Justice. As can be the case with other works by Kant, the text can be difficult to read and understand to some people - even in German - but it is worth giving it a chance if one wishes to broaden one's knowledge of political and moral philosophy.