primary principle of morality

Short Paper #2
(2 ½ to 3 pages, typed, double-spaced.  Due on Nov. 4 at the beginning of class.

In section 2 of the Grounding, Kant asks the following question:  if the three propositions implicit in our common understanding of morality are to be legitimate, then

what would have to be the case about the primary principle of morality that serves as the ultimate ground of our moral obligations?  The first part of the argument is

designed to give an analysis of the formal conditions contained in such a principle.  His method, which is called the transcendental method, draws on the theory of

logic as a basis for examining the possible formal features such a principle might have.  Having considered the possibilities, Kant then examines the options and

eliminates those that are insufficient to legitimate the assumptions implicit in our common understanding of morality.  In this paper, reconstruct the main premises in

Kant’s argument that the principle must have the form of a categorical imperative and that it could not be a hypothetical imperative.  Explain how those premises fit

together and how they support his conclusion.  Work slowly and carefully as you identify each of the main premises and then put them in an order that makes the best

sense of the argument as a whole.
Explain how a philosopher, such as John Stuart Mill, might object to this part of Kant’s argument. Identify what you consider to be a significant weakness in one of

the premisses or inferences leading up to the conclusion, and explain how the objection works.  Finally, develop a response to the objection on Kant’s behalf and

evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the objection and the response.  My suggestion is that you spend about one and half pages reconstructing this part of Kant’s

argument.  Then, spend about three quarters of a page developing the objection and another three quarters of a page developing the response.