Question
eReader own person or in the person of any other, always at the same time as an end, never merely as a means. Using this version, Kant argues that a deceitful promise is immoral because a person making such a promise is using another person only as a means, not treating that individual as an end ,a rational being worthy of respect. Nothing in the world.or even beyond it, can possibly be Tonceived and be called good without qualification other than a good will.Understanding, wit, judgment, and other talents of the mind are undoubtedly good and desfrable in many respects, as are the qualities of such as courage, determination, and perseverance. But both (the talents of the mind and the qualities of temperament) may also become extremely bad and harmful if the will that utilizes these gifts of nature, and whose constitution is thus called character, is not itself good. It is the same with gifts of fortune. Power wealth, honor, even health , and the general well being and contentment with one's condition, called happiness, yield courage, and often arrogance, if a good will does not correct their influence, rectifying the whole principle of action and adapting it to its universal end. Not to mention that an impartial rational observer can never be satisfied by the sight of a creature who lacks a single feature of a pure and good will but nonetheless experiences constant good fortune. A good will ,then, appears to constitute the indispensable condition of even being worthy of happiness. Certain qualities conducive to this good will may facilitate its work but nonetheless lack intrinsic or unconditional value. Still, they always presuppose a good will, limiting our otherwise proper high esteem for them and preventing us from regarding them as absolutely good. Moderation in emotions and passions, self-control, and calm deliberation are good in many respects and even seem to constitute part of the intrinsic worth of a person, but they should not be called unconditionally good, despite such high praise from the ancients. For without the principles of a good will, these qualities may become extremely bad and such cold-bloodedness in a villain makes him not only far more dangerous but also more horrible in our eyes. A good will is good neither because of what it actually performs or achieves nor for its fitness to attain some proposed end, but simply by virtue of its volition, good in itself and esteemed much higher than all that it could bring about in favor of any inclination , indeed even the sum total of all inclinations .Even ifit should happen that due to some particular misfortune or the meager provision of a wicked step motherly nature, this will should wholly lack the power to accomplish its purpose, achieve nothing with its greatest efforts, and leave behind only the good will itself-not as a mere wish, but through summoning all means in our power-then, like a jewel the good will would still shine by its own light, a thing of complete value in itself neither augmented nor diminished by its usefulness or uselessness __ We must therefore develop the concept of a will highly esteemed as good in itself alone. Already existing in a sound and natural understanding, this concept does not need to be taught but only illuminated. When estimating the value of our actions, a good will always takes first place and constitutes the condition of all the rest.To demonstrate this, we will consider the concept of duty.which includes the concept of a good will, with certain subjective restrictions and hindrance that do not conceal it or render it unrecognizable but rather through contrast make it stand out and shine so much the brighter __
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Olwen
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Answer
Kant argues that a deceitful promise is immoral because it treats a person merely as a means, not as an end worthy of respect. He emphasizes that only a good will, intrinsically valued and not dependent on outcomes or achievements, is truly good. Qualities like understanding, courage, and happiness are desirable but become harmful without a good will to guide them. Kant asserts that a good will, valued for its volition alone, takes precedence in moral estimation. Duty, connected to the concept of a good will, illuminates its intrinsic value.