Okay! Last time, we really ran with the question of duty. So now, let’s dive into Kant’s text more directly.
Reading Kant
Now, we’ll go back to reading Kant. Let’s start with an introduction to his work. We’ll watch the whole video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsgAsw4XGvU&t=165s
In the text, there are two questions that Kant is tackling. The first is: how can we think about ethics? And the second is: are there any moral laws that we have to always follow?
I’ll split you into small groups. Today, we’re going to focus on the first part of the reading. In your groups, I want you to read the text closely, and discuss: what, according to your best understanding, Kant is saying.
In your groups:
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Identify what you think are the most important sections of the reading.
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Summarise in your own words what the author is saying in these sections.
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Explain why these sections are important to the author’s argument.
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Give a practical example that can help us understand the argument.
To do this, you have to have the text open in your groups, so you can read it carefully, and talk about what it is actually saying (not what you guess it might be saying!).
We’ll feed back after the session.
Homework
Answer this question on Canvas. Kant writes: “For, in the case of what is to be morally good it is not enough that it conform with the moral law, but it must also be done for the sake of the law.” What do you think Kant means? And do you agree with him?
Next time, we’ll read the second section of the reading. And we’ll start thinking about duties.