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Maxims In Kant's Moral Philosophy, Nelson T. Potter Jr.
Maxims In Kant's Moral Philosophy, Nelson T. Potter Jr.
Department of Philosophy: Faculty Publications
It has been noticed in the English-language literature concerning Kant's ethics, at least since Marcus Singer's extended discussion in later chapters of Generalization in Ethics! that the concept of a maxim plays a central role in the application of the categorical imperative, and that it is, for that reason, if not for others, worth detailed attention. In the present essay I wish to consider the Kantian concept of maxim in a broader context.
Kant On Obligation And Motivation In Law And Ethics, Nelson T. Potter Jr.
Kant On Obligation And Motivation In Law And Ethics, Nelson T. Potter Jr.
Department of Philosophy: Faculty Publications
It is quite clear that a positive law must have some motivation connected with it, as specified in a penalty, at least a criminal law must, as opposed to a law appropriating funds or a law authorizing persons to make use of certain legal possibilities, such as a will, a limited liability corporation, or marriage. Some ten years ago Nebraska's state legislature passed a law requiring the wearing of a motorcycle helmet while riding a motorcycle on the state's roads, and the Governor signed it into law. Only some time after this process had been completed was the defect of …