Kant thought that all moral principles impose exceptionless duties.
Kant thought that all moral principles impose exceptionless duties.
A "perfect duty" (like the duty not to commit suicide when depressed) must be followed in all cases; it binds without exception. We get a "perfect duty" when it would be impossible for a maxim to be a universal law.
An "imperfect duty" (like the duty to promote our own happiness) is looser; it may have to be weighed against other duties. We get an "imperfect duty" when it would be possible for a maxim to be a universal law, but we cannot will that it be such.
Kant thought that all moral principles impose exceptionless duties.
A "perfect duty" (like the duty not to commit suicide when depressed) must be followed in all cases; it binds without exception. We get a "perfect duty" when it would be impossible for a maxim to be a universal law.
An "imperfect duty" (like the duty to promote our own happiness) is looser; it may have to be weighed against other duties. We get an "imperfect duty" when it would be possible for a maxim to be a universal law, but we cannot will that it be such.