《the critique of pure reason》

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happiness; except in so far as it is dispensed in strict proportion to

morality。 But this is only possible in the intelligible world; under a

wise author and ruler。 Such a ruler; together with life in such a

world; which we must look upon as future; reason finds itself

compelled to assume; or it must regard the moral laws as idle

dreams; since the necessary consequence which this same reason

connects with them must; without this hypothesis; fall to the

ground。 Hence also the moral laws are universally regarded as

commands; which they could not be did they not connect a priori

adequate consequences with their dictates; and thus carry with them

promises and threats。 But this; again; they could not do; did they not

reside in a necessary being; as the Supreme Good; which alone can

render such a teleological unity possible。

  Leibnitz termed the world; when viewed in relation to the rational

beings which it contains; and the moral relations in which they

stand to each other; under the government of the Supreme Good; the

kingdom of Grace; and distinguished it from the kingdom of Nature;

in which these rational beings live; under moral laws; indeed; but

expect no other consequences from their actions than such as follow

according to the course of nature in the world of sense。 To view

ourselves; therefore; as in the kingdom of grace; in which all

happiness awaits us; except in so far as we ourselves limit our

participation in it by actions which render us unworthy of

happiness; is a practically necessary idea of reason。

  Practical laws; in so far as they are subjective grounds of actions;

that is; subjective principles; are termed maxims。 The judgements of

moral according to in its purity and ultimate results are framed

according ideas; the observance of its laws; according to according to

maxims。

  The whole course of our life must be subject to moral maxims; but

this is impossible; unless with the moral law; which is a mere idea;

reason connects an efficient cause which ordains to all conduct

which is in conformity with the moral law an issue either in this or

in another life; which is in exact conformity with our highest aims。

Thus; without a God and without a world; invisible to us now; but

hoped for; the glorious ideas of morality are; indeed; objects of

approbation and of admiration; but cannot be the springs of purpose

and action。 For they do not satisfy all the aims which are natural

to every rational being; and which are determined a priori by pure

reason itself; and necessary。

  Happiness alone is; in the view of reason; far from being the

complete good。 Reason does not approve of it (however much inclination

may desire it); except as united with desert。 On the other hand;

morality alone; and with it; mere desert; is likewise far from being

the complete good。 To make it complete; he who conducts himself in a

manner not unworthy of happiness; must be able to hope for the

possession of happiness。 Even reason; unbiased by private ends; or

interested considerations; cannot judge otherwise; if it puts itself

in the place of a being whose business it is to dispense all happiness

to others。 For in the practical idea both points are essentially

combined; though in such a way that participation in happiness is

rendered possible by the moral disposition; as its condition; and

not conversely; the moral disposition by the prospect of happiness。

For a disposition which should require the prospect of happiness as

its necessary condition would not be moral; and hence also would not

be worthy of complete happiness… a happiness which; in the view of

reason; recognizes no limitation but such as arises from our own

immoral conduct。

  Happiness; therefore; in exact proportion with the morality of

rational beings (whereby they are made worthy of happiness);

constitutes alone the supreme good of a world into which we absolutely

must transport ourselves according to the commands of pure but

practical reason。 This world is; it is true; only an intelligible

world; for of such a systematic unity of ends as it requires; the

world of sense gives us no hint。 Its reality can be based on nothing

else but the hypothesis of a supreme original good。 In it

independent reason; equipped with all the sufficiency of a supreme

cause; founds; maintains; and fulfils the universal order of things;

with the most perfect teleological harmony; however much this order

may be hidden from us in the world of sense。

  This moral theology has the peculiar advantage; in contrast with

speculative theology; of leading inevitably to the conception of a

sole; perfect; and rational First Cause; whereof speculative

theology does not give us any indication on objective grounds; far

less any convincing evidence。 For we find neither in transcendental

nor in natural theology; however far reason may lead us in these;

any ground to warrant us in assuming the existence of one only

Being; which stands at the head of all natural causes; and on which

these are entirely dependent。 On the other band; if we take our

stand on moral unity as a necessary law of the universe; and from this

point of view consider what is necessary to give this law adequate

efficiency and; for us; obligatory force; we must come to the

conclusion that there is one only supreme will; which comprehends

all these laws in itself。 For how; under different wills; should we

find complete unity of ends? This will must be omnipotent; that all

nature and its relation to morality in the world may be subject to it;

omniscient; that it may have knowledge of the most secret feelings and

their moral worth; omnipresent; that it may be at hand to supply every

necessity to which the highest weal of the world may give rise;

eternal; that this harmony of nature and liberty may never fail; and

so on。

  But this systematic unity of ends in this world of intelligences…

which; as mere nature; is only a world of sense; but; as a system of

freedom of volition; may be termed an intelligible; that is; moral

world (regnum gratiae)… leads inevitably also to the teleological

unity of all things which constitute this great whole; according to

universal natural laws… just as the unity of the former is according

to universal and necessary moral laws… and unites the practical with

the speculative reason。 The world must be represented as having

originated from an idea; if it is to harmonize with that use of reason

without which we cannot even consider ourselves as worthy of reason…

namely; the moral use; which rests entirely on the idea of the supreme

good。 Hence the investigation of nature receives a teleological

direction; and becomes; in its widest extension; physico…theology。 But

this; taking its rise in moral order as a unity founded on the essence

of freedom; and not accidentally instituted by external commands;

establishes the teleological view of nature on grounds which must be

inseparably connected with the internal possibility of things。 This

gives rise to a transcendental theology; which takes the ideal of

the highest ontological perfection as a principle of systematic unity;

and this principle connects all things according to universal and

necessary natural laws; because all things have their origin in the

absolute necessity of the one only Primal Being。

  What use can we make of our understanding; even in respect of

experience; if we do not propose ends to ourselves? But the highest

ends are those of morality; and it is only pure reason that can give

us the knowledge of these。 Though supplied with these; and putting

ourselves under their guidance; we can make no teleological use of the

knowledge of nature; as regards cognition; unless nature itself has

established teleological unity。 For without this unity we should not

even possess reason; because we should have no school for reason;

and no cultivation through objects which afford the materials for

its conceptions。 But teleological unity is a necessary unity; and

founded on the essence of the individual will itself。 Hence this will;

which is the condition of the application of this unity in concreto;

must be so likewise。 In this way the transcendental enlargement of our

rational cognition would be; not the cause; but merely the effect of

the practical teleology which pure reason imposes upon us。

  Hence; also; we find in the history of human reason that; before the

moral conceptions were sufficiently purified and determined; and

before men had attained to a perception of the systematic unity of

ends according to these conceptions and from necessary principles; the

knowledge of nature; and even a considerable amount of intellectual

culture in many other sciences; could produce only rude and vague

conceptions of the Deity; sometimes even admitting of an astonishing

indifference with regard to this question altogether。 But the more

enlarged treatment of moral ideas; which was rendered necessary by the
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