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Philosophy / Unit 7   Philosophy 0288 short lesson, about 20 seconds

The Good Will

Captions available

The idea

Kant's starting point: the only thing good without qualification is a good will—acting from duty, not from inclination or advantage.

In practice

Two shopkeepers give correct change: one fears bad publicity, one holds honesty a duty. Same act, different moral worth.

Where people slip

Inclination is not sin—Kant's claim is that moral credit tracks the motive, not the mood.

Your place on the trail

Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.

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