Grundlegung zur Metaphysik der Sitten

In the "Grundlegung zur Metaphysik der Sitten" ("Foundation for the Metaphysics of Morals") published in 1785, Kant formulated for the first time the principles of a universalistic ethics of autonomy, the influence of which is still unbroken today. The main ideas can already be found in the transition from the common to the philosophical understanding of reason: Ethics is not primarily concerned with the good life and happiness, nor is it initially concerned with the success of actions; the object of moral high esteem is rather intentions and maxims. What is good is what applies to all rational beings, because it is wanted by them as autonomous and rational beings. The writing is short, simply structured and comprehensibly written. It is therefore suitable as an introduction to Kant's ethics, but at the same time contains all the essential ideas of his practical philosophy as a foundation. The text was written on the basis of the.