第 4 节
作者:莫再讲      更新:2021-02-20 15:52      字数:9321
  a source from whence to give himself a far higher worth than that of a
  good…natured temperament could be? Unquestionably。 It is just in
  this that the moral worth of the character is brought out which is
  incomparably the highest of all; namely; that he is beneficent; not
  from inclination; but from duty。
  To secure one's own happiness is a duty; at least indirectly; for
  discontent with one's condition; under a pressure of many anxieties
  and amidst unsatisfied wants; might easily become a great temptation
  to transgression of duty。 But here again; without looking to duty; all
  men have already the strongest and most intimate inclination to
  happiness; because it is just in this idea that all inclinations are
  combined in one total。 But the precept of happiness is often of such a
  sort that it greatly interferes with some inclinations; and yet a
  man cannot form any definite and certain conception of the sum of
  satisfaction of all of them which is called happiness。 It is not
  then to be wondered at that a single inclination; definite both as
  to what it promises and as to the time within which it can be
  gratified; is often able to overcome such a fluctuating idea; and that
  a gouty patient; for instance; can choose to enjoy what he likes;
  and to suffer what he may; since; according to his calculation; on
  this occasion at least; be has not sacrificed the enjoyment of the
  present moment to a possibly mistaken expectation of a happiness which
  is supposed to be found in health。 But even in this case; if the
  general desire for happiness did not influence his will; and supposing
  that in his particular case health was not a necessary element in this
  calculation; there yet remains in this; as in all other cases; this
  law; namely; that he should promote his happiness not from inclination
  but from duty; and by this would his conduct first acquire true
  moral worth。
  It is in this manner; undoubtedly; that we are to understand those
  passages of Scripture also in which we are commanded to love our
  neighbour; even our enemy。 For love; as an affection; cannot be
  commanded; but beneficence for duty's sake may; even though we are not
  impelled to it by any inclination… nay; are even repelled by a natural
  and unconquerable aversion。 This is practical love and not
  pathological… a love which is seated in the will; and not in the
  propensions of sense… in principles of action and not of tender
  sympathy; and it is this love alone which can be commanded。
  The second proposition is: That an action done from duty derives its
  moral worth; not from the purpose which is to be attained by it; but
  from the maxim by which it is determined; and therefore does not
  depend on the realization of the object of the action; but merely on
  the principle of volition by which the action has taken place; without
  regard to any object of desire。 It is clear from what precedes that
  the purposes which we may have in view in our actions; or their
  effects regarded as ends and springs of the will; cannot give to
  actions any unconditional or moral worth。 In what; then; can their
  worth lie; if it is not to consist in the will and in reference to its
  expected effect? It cannot lie anywhere but in the principle of the
  will without regard to the ends which can be attained by the action。
  For the will stands between its a priori principle; which is formal;
  and its a posteriori spring; which is material; as between two
  roads; and as it must be determined by something; it that it must be
  determined by the formal principle of volition when an action is
  done from duty; in which case every material principle has been
  withdrawn from it。
  The third proposition; which is a consequence of the two
  preceding; I would express thus Duty is the necessity of acting from
  respect for the law。 I may have inclination for an object as the
  effect of my proposed action; but I cannot have respect for it; just
  for this reason; that it is an effect and not an energy of will。
  Similarly I cannot have respect for inclination; whether my own or
  another's; I can at most; if my own; approve it; if another's;
  sometimes even love it; i。e。; look on it as favourable to my own
  interest。 It is only what is connected with my will as a principle; by
  no means as an effect… what does not subserve my inclination; but
  overpowers it; or at least in case of choice excludes it from its
  calculation… in other words; simply the law of itself; which can be an
  object of respect; and hence a command。 Now an action done from duty
  must wholly exclude the influence of inclination and with it every
  object of the will; so that nothing remains which can determine the
  will except objectively the law; and subjectively pure respect for
  this practical law; and consequently the maxim* that I should follow
  this law even to the thwarting of all my inclinations。
  *A maxim is the subjective principle of volition。 The objective
  principle (i。e。; that which would also serve subjectively as a
  practical principle to all rational beings if reason had full power
  over the faculty of desire) is the practical law。
  Thus the moral worth of an action does not lie in the effect
  expected from it; nor in any principle of action which requires to
  borrow its motive from this expected effect。 For all these effects…
  agreeableness of one's condition and even the promotion of the
  happiness of others… could have been also brought about by other
  causes; so that for this there would have been no need of the will
  of a rational being; whereas it is in this alone that the supreme
  and unconditional good can be found。 The pre…eminent good which we
  call moral can therefore consist in nothing else than the conception
  of law in itself; which certainly is only possible in a rational
  being; in so far as this conception; and not the expected effect;
  determines the will。 This is a good which is already present in the
  person who acts accordingly; and we have not to wait for it to
  appear first in the result。*
  *It might be here objected to me that I take refuge behind the
  word respect in an obscure feeling; instead of giving a distinct
  solution of the question by a concept of the reason。 But although
  respect is a feeling; it is not a feeling received through
  influence; but is self…wrought by a rational concept; and;
  therefore; is specifically distinct from all feelings of the former
  kind; which may be referred either to inclination or fear; What I
  recognise immediately as a law for me; I recognise with respect。
  This merely signifies the consciousness that my will is subordinate to
  a law; without the intervention of other influences on my sense。 The
  immediate determination of the will by the law; and the
  consciousness of this; is called respect; so that this is regarded
  as an effect of the law on the subject; and not as the cause of it。
  Respect is properly the conception of a worth which thwarts my
  self…love。 Accordingly it is something which is considered neither
  as an object of inclination nor of fear; although it has something
  analogous to both。 The object of respect is the law only; and that the
  law which we impose on ourselves and yet recognise as necessary in
  itself。 As a law; we are subjected too it without consulting
  self…love; as imposed by us on ourselves; it is a result of our
  will。 In the former aspect it has an analogy to fear; in the latter to
  inclination。 Respect for a person is properly only respect for the law
  (of honesty; etc。) of which he gives us an example。 Since we also look
  on the improvement of our talents as a duty; we consider that we see
  in a person of talents; as it were; the example of a law (viz。; to
  become like him in this by exercise); and this constitutes our
  respect。 All so…called moral interest consists simply in respect for
  the law。
  But what sort of law can that be; the conception of which must
  determine the will; even without paying any regard to the effect
  expected from it; in order that this will may be called good
  absolutely and without qualification? As I have deprived the will of
  every impulse which could arise to it from obedience to any law; there
  remains nothing but the universal conformity of its actions to law
  in general; which alone is to serve the will as a principle; i。e。; I
  am never to act otherwise than so that I could also will that my maxim
  should become a universal law。 Here; now; it is the simple
  conformity to law in general; without assuming any particular law
  applicable to certain actions; that serves the will as its principle
  and must so serve it; if duty is not to be a vain delusion and a
  chimerical notion。 The common reason of men in its practical
  judgements perfectly coincides with this and always has in view the
  principle here suggested。 Let the question be; for example: May I when
  in distress make a promise with the intention not to keep it? I
  readily distinguish here between the two significations which the
  question may