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Single Idea 24483

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 1. Virtue Theory / a. Nature of virtue]

Full Idea

Virtue is the moral strength of a man's will in fulfilling his duty, a moral constraint through his own lawgiving reason.

Gist of Idea

Virtue is the moral strength to fulfil duty, and arises from reason

Source

Immanuel Kant (Metaphysics of Morals I: Doctrine of Right [1797], 405 Intro XIII)

A Reaction

Since reason is the source of this determination, it seems that virtue is just a strong power of reason. Does that make clever people morally superior? What if he shows great strength is pursuing a warped sense of duty?

Book Reference

Kant,Immanuel: 'The Metaphysics of Morals', ed/tr. Gregor,Mary [CUP 1991], p.206