Order Description
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Part I
1. According to Kant, how are synthetic a priori judgments possible? Explain and provide
examples of the three kinds of judgments. How does this answer the question “What can we
know?”
2. According to the third section of the Grounding of the Metaphysics of Moral, how is the
categorical imperative possible? This question concerns the problem of freedom and the two
standpoints. You should explain how morality is possible when from the viewpoint of science,
everything is causally determined. Possible topics to be covered in your response: the nature of
moral freedom, the experience of moral obligation, difference between heteronomy and
autonomy, and the noumena/phenomena distinction.
Part II
1. Explain Kant’s contention that a good will acts for the sake of duty. For this question, you
should define a good will, describe how a person comes to have a good will, and explain what it
means to act for the sake of duty. Your answer should demonstrate familiarity with the three
propositions of morality.
2. What is the categorical imperative? How does a categorical Imperative differ from a
hypothetical imperative. Discuss at least two formulations of the categorical imperatives and
illustrate each formulation with an example.
3. Explain the postulates of practical reason that concern God and immortality. To what extent do
these postulates depend upon or relate to the categorical imperative.