The Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals

Immanuel Kant's "The Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals" explores the fundamental principles of moral duty. It argues that moral actions are guided by reason and a universal moral law, which we discover through our ability to legislate moral principles freely. Kant emphasizes acting out of duty, not personal desires or consequences, and introduces the concept of the "categorical imperative"—a rule that commands us to act only according to principles we'd want everyone else to follow. The work seeks to establish morality as based on rationality and universality, rather than emotions or situational factors.