Understanding Kant's Groundwork

Immanuel  Kant’s  Groundwork  for  the  Metaphysics  of  Morals  is  widely  regarded  as  one of the most influential works in the history of moral philosophy. Indeed, any student of ethics will soon encounter a translation of the book, although trying to read it is likely to cause bewilderment. What, one may ask, is Kant trying to say?

This book provides the answers. Here, seven highly regarded teachers and scholars of Kant’s ethics offer remarkably clear explanations of the most important concepts in  the  Groundwork:  the  good  will,  happiness,  duty,  hypothetical  and  categorical  imperatives, the Formula of Universal Law, the Formula of Humanity, and freedom.

Reviews:

“This is the rare guide to Kant’s Groundwork suitable even for students new to philosophy. The clear, concise chapters focus on only the most essential concepts from all three sections of the Groundwork. The authors expertly illuminate Kant’s ethical thought and facilitate engagement with the text.”
—Lara Denis, Agnes Scott College

“A collection of beautifully clear and concise essays on Kant’s most famous ethical work, each written by an outstanding scholar. The crucial ideas of the Groundwork are expertly explained in ways that are both philosophically rich and reader friendly. This volume is an invaluable companion for any student or teacher of Kantian ethics.”
—Karen Stohr, Georgetown University

“A wonderfully clear and concise philosophical introduction to Kant’s seminal ethical treatise.”
—Jens Timmermann, University of St Andrews

Contents:

• Preface
• The Good Will, Nataliya Palatnik
• Happiness, Anne Margaret Baxley
• Duty, Laura Papish
• Imperatives, Tamar Schapiro
• The Formula of Universal Law, Kyla Ebels-Duggan
• The Formula of Humanity, Japa Pallikkathayil
• Freedom, Lucy Allais
• About the Contributors
• Index

About the Authors:

Nataliya Palatnik is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee. Anne Margaret Baxley is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Washington University in St. Louis. Laura Papish is Associate Professor of Philosophy at George Washington University. Tamar Schapiro is Professor of Philosophy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Kyla Ebels-Duggan is Professor of Philosophy at Northwestern University. Japa Pallikkathayil is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Pittsburgh. Lucy Allais is Professor of Philosophy at Johns Hopkins University and the University of the Witwatersr and, Johannesburg. Steven M. Cahn is Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at the City University of New York Graduate Center.