Kant's Concept of Moral Worth
Kant argues that the moral worth of good will is based on fulfilment of duty rather than inclination. An action is therefore said to be of moral worth if and only if it is done from the motive of duty. The good will under any circumstance implies has its principle and some crucial properties that retains despite change in circumstances. The principle is not acting on it always to give desired results but considering deeds that express an unqualifiedly good will to do duty. Kant holds that having a strong obligation to acting ethically is what is usually thought of a morally good individual (Costelloe 475). Having the best will is compatible with lack of moral quality which is the ethical strength to overcome wishes that challenge a person's intentions. Helping a friend has no moral worth if done from a motive other than duty. For example, helping a friend out of affection has no moral worth. Thus, actions do not have a sense of worth even if they are motivated by inclination and not duty.
Kant's Perspective on Happiness and Perfection
Kant thinks that happiness of people is a good thing, and thus, there is nothing wrong with doing something with the intention of making them happy. Doing things that make a person happy is required by duty. A person should refrain from immoral things in the process of fulfilling their happiness. The arguments provide a sharp distinction between happiness and perfection raising questions on fruitful ways of understanding the contemporary moral philosophy (Costelloe 480). Kant claim people have duty to promote their happiness and perfection. In the world, perfect happiness can be difficult to measure and define since people experience satisfaction differently. Happiness does not stick, and thus, individuals have the duty of making efforts to hold it. Many philosophers have different opinions about happiness and how to attain it. Some say happiness is a state of inner peace while others say is a state of deep satisfaction. Some thinkers also relate happiness to spirituality while others say that it occurs without a reason.
Works Cited
Costelloe, Karin. "Book Review:The Philosophy Of Immanuel Kant. Immanuel Kant, A. D. Lindsay". Ethics, vol 24, no. 4, 2014, pp. 475-498. University of Chicago Press, doi:10.1086/206863.
