Morality is thus the relation of actions to the autonomy of the will, that is, to a possible giving of universal law through its maxims. An action that can coexist with the autonomy of the will is permitted; one that does not accord with it is forbidden. A will whose maxims necessarily harmonize with the laws of autonomy is a holy, absolutely good will. The dependence upon the principle of autonomy of a will that is not absolutely good (moral necessitation) is obligation. This, accordingly, cannot be attributed to a holy being. The objective of an action from obligation is called duty.


Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals (1785)


Morality is thus the relation of actions to the autonomy of the will, that is, to a possible giving of universal law through its maxims. An action...

Morality is thus the relation of actions to the autonomy of the will, that is, to a possible giving of universal law through its maxims. An action...

Morality is thus the relation of actions to the autonomy of the will, that is, to a possible giving of universal law through its maxims. An action...

Morality is thus the relation of actions to the autonomy of the will, that is, to a possible giving of universal law through its maxims. An action...