Final answer:
Immanuel Kant's 'good will' refers to the will to perform one's duty solely out of respect for moral law, without any selfish motives. It is the cornerstone of his ethical philosophy, where actions done from 'good will' are seen as intrinsically good, regardless of their consequences. Acting with 'good will' is key to fulfilling moral obligations and respecting others.
Step-by-step explanation:
Immanuel Kant's Concept of 'Good Will'
Immanuel Kant, a key figure of the Enlightenment and a seminal philosopher in the history of Western thought, developed a concept he termed 'good will'. Kant defines 'good will' as the will to perform one's duty for its own sake, driven by a respect for moral law rather than by any inclination or desired outcome. In his philosophical works, such as the Critique of Practical Reason, Kant argues that 'good will' is intrinsically good, irrespective of the consequences it produces.
'Good will' is the central element of Kant's ethical framework. In accordance with his Categorical Imperative, an individual's actions should be guided by maxims that could be universally applied as a law for all rational beings. For Kant, actions endowed with 'good will' are those carried out from a sense of duty to act morally and rationally. Hence, 'good will' reflects the pure intention to fulfill our moral obligations, uncolored by personal desires or external factors.
Kant clarified that even if our actions based on 'good will' do not achieve the intended positive effects, the will itself is still morally commendable. It is our capacity for rational action that establishes our dignity and underpins our moral obligations. Acting with 'good will' means treating others as ends in themselves and not merely as means to achieve personal gains, aligning with the ethical principle of respect for persons.