Doing Good Avoiding Bad

For the most part, people have the desire to do "good" and avoid "bad". According to Kant there are two main types of "goods"; people seek good that is thought as a means to some further end and those that are good as ends in themselves. Some things maybe considered good as means to one end and bad to another end. People are motivated by different things, meaning good and bad is relative to the individual. If people are motivated by different ends, then they will find different things good and bad. An air conditioning unit may be good for someone that is hot, but is bad for someone who is cold.

For something to be "good without qualification" it cannot just be good as means to one end and bad as means to another end. It must be good in itself, solely and independently. Kant means that a good will is "good without qualification" such as an absolute good in itself. It has to be universally good in every instance, and not just good as a means to an end.

Kant's definition of something being universally good, or absolutely good, means it has to be good in every instance, no questions asked. He goes further and argues that "intelligence, wit, judgment, and whatever talents of the mind one might name are doubtless in many respects good and desirable". He even says courage, resolution, perseverance, and even happiness are "extremely bad and mischievous if the will which is to make use of them...is not good." An example is if you had a murderer who had these many traits, these traits would make that person that much worse.

After stating all this, other things can in fact be good. This although depends on intent. If a very intelligent person cheats on his wife, obviously he is doing bad. Although intelligence is a "good" it is "used" in a bad way. The argument has to due with qualification, which in his mind means good will is good without qualification. It is good in itself, nothing else matters because the will and intent of the person is good. Good will to kant is acting out of moral obligation.

A person in action does not take a look at consequences or effects, he or she acts because it is morally right, or they have a moral duty. By the word duty, Kant means obligation. An example can be made out of the ten commandments, as brought up in class. People should not only follow the commandments, or Gods law because