Final answer:
Morality, according to Kant, draws its authority from our innate ability to use reason to determine moral principles. His deontological ethical system is grounded in the categorical imperative, which assesses the morality of actions by their ability to be universally applied.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Immanuel Kant, morality derives its authority solely from our capacity as rational beings to discern right from wrong using our reason alone, independent of empirical knowledge or external influences. Kant's deontological philosophy posits that moral laws, or maxims, can be discovered a priori, meaning through pure reason without the need for experience. Elements like religion or culture are therefore not the roots of moral authority; instead, the ability to reason and form judgments about our actions gives rise to our moral duties.
For Kant, the essence of moral behavior is encapsulated in the concept of the categorical imperative, of which there are several formulations. The most famous of these states that one should "Act only according to that maxim whereby you can, at the same time, will that it should become a universal law." This implies that an action is moral if it can be universally applied without contradiction. This universalizability test is a key feature of Kantian ethics, ensuring that actions conform to a standard of rationality and thus reflect moral law.
Kant distinguished the importance of acting from duty, representing the good will, which he considered to have unconditional value. This good will is evidenced when individuals perform duties solely out of respect for moral law, rather than for any ulterior motive or expected outcome, thus affirming human dignity and worth through rational, moral action.