How does Kant determine whether an act is moral or not?

Question

What criteria does he employ to determine the ethical nature of a given act?

Answer 1

One must act from duty--the categorical imperative.

It relates to his metaphysics--kingdom of "duty" (i think that is what it's called--its been a while).

In short, it mirrors the golden rule: treat others how you want to be treated.

It is an absolutist approach that is geared toward the satisfaction of duty over partiality and desire.

If you cannot will the act 'to be' in the kingdom of men/duty/etc., then it is immoral.

I haven't studied Kant in some time, but I hope this helps a bit.

Answer 2

http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/kant-m...

Answer 3

If an act is joyless and does not lead in anyway to happiness and is done out of a sense of duty -- then you have a moral act. Kant must have a real "fun" guy to hang out with...

Answer 4

check the net - many answers for that one