Kant's Doctrine of virtue: a guide

Immanuel Kant's final publication in ethics was 'The Doctrine of Virtue', Part II of the 1797 'The Metaphysics of Morals', presenting Kant's normative ethical theory. This guide is meant to be read alongside Kant's text, combining accessible explanations and novel interpretations of this difficult text.

Immanuel Kant's final publication in ethics was The Doctrine of Virtue, Part II of the 1797 The Metaphysics of Morals. This text presents Kant's normative ethical theory. This guide is meant to be read alongside Kant's text, combining accessible explanations and novel interpretations of this difficult text. It is the first book in English devoted to The Doctrine of Virtue, one of Kant's most significant works.

Life and work -- Philosophical background -- On the idea of and necessity for a metaphysics of morals -- Mental faculties, the moral law, and human motivation -- Preliminary concepts and division of the metaphysics of morals -- The doctrine of virtue as a doctrine of ends -- General ends that are also duties -- Radical evil and the nature of virtue -- The science of ethics -- Perfect duties to oneself as an animal being -- Perfect duties to oneself merely as a moral being -- Imperfect duties to oneself -- Duties of love to other human beings -- The vices of hatred and of disrespect -- Friendship -- Moral education and practice -- Concluding reflections on Kant's Doctrine of virtue.