Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Reason, Deservedness, Action

In Kant's system, 'Virtue' and 'Justice' are distinguished in terms of 'inner' and 'outer'.  Now, 'worthiness' is a kind of  'justice'.  Thus, his contention that "virtue is the worthiness to be happy" does not, in itself, accomplish the totalization of the Good, which is why a mediating 'God' is necessary for the synthesis.  However, in his system, there is a more fundamental chasm between inner and outer--that between intention and action.  So, if there is anything that Virtue fundamentally deserves, it is its outer efficacy.  Similarly, the primary function of a 'God' that is conceived within the limits of reason would be to actualize Reason.

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