登陆注册
5198000000015

第15章

Suppose that an acquaintance whom you otherwise liked were to attempt to justify himself to you for having borne false witness, first by alleging the, in his view, sacred duty of consulting his own happiness; then by enumerating the advantages which he had gained thereby, pointing out the prudence he had shown in securing himself against detection, even by yourself, to whom he now reveals the secret, only in order that he may be able to deny it at any time; and suppose he were then to affirm, in all seriousness, that he has fulfilled a true human duty; you would either laugh in his face, or shrink back from him with disgust; and yet, if a man has regulated his principles of action solely with a view to his own advantage, you would have nothing whatever to object against this mode of proceeding.Or suppose some one recommends you a man as steward, as a man to whom you can blindly trust all your affairs; and, in order to inspire you with confidence, extols him as a prudent man who thoroughly understands his own interest, and is so indefatigably active that he lets slip no opportunity of advancing it; lastly, lest you should be afraid of finding a vulgar selfishness in him, praises the good taste with which he lives; not seeking his pleasure in money-making, or in coarse wantonness, but in the enlargement of his knowledge, in instructive intercourse with a select circle, and even in relieving the needy; while as to the means (which, of course, derive all their value from the end), he is not particular, and is ready to use other people's money for the purpose as if it were his own, provided only he knows that he can do so safely, and without discovery; you would either believe that the recommender was mocking you, or that he had lost his senses.So sharply and clearly marked are the boundaries of morality and self-love that even the commonest eye cannot fail to distinguish whether a thing belongs to the one or the other.The few remarks that follow may appear superfluous where the truth is so plain, but at least they may serve to give a little more distinctness to the judgement of common sense.

The principle of happiness may, indeed, furnish maxims, but never such as would be competent to be laws of the will, even if universal happiness were made the object.For since the knowledge of this rests on mere empirical data, since every man's judgement on it depends very much on his particular point of view, which is itself moreover very variable, it can supply only general rules, not universal; that is, it can give rules which on the average will most frequently fit, but not rules which must hold good always and necessarily; hence, no practical laws can be founded on it.Just because in this case an object of choice is the foundation of the rule and must therefore precede it, the rule can refer to nothing but what is [felt], and therefore it refers to experience and is founded on it, and then the variety of judgement must be endless.This principle, therefore, does not prescribe the same practical rules to all rational beings, although the rules are all included under a common title, namely, that of happiness.The moral law, however, is conceived as objectively necessary, only because it holds for everyone that has reason and will.

The maxim of self-love (prudence) only advises; the law of morality commands.Now there is a great difference between that which we are advised to do and that to which we are obliged.

The commonest intelligence can easily and without hesitation see what, on the principle of autonomy of the will, requires to be done;but on supposition of heteronomy of the will, it is bard and requires knowledge of the world to see what is to be done.That is to say, what duty is, is plain of itself to everyone; but what is to bring true durable advantage, such as will extend to the whole of one's existence, is always veiled in impenetrable obscurity; and much prudence is required to adapt the practical rule founded on it to the ends of life, even tolerably, by making proper exceptions.But the moral law commands the most punctual obedience from everyone; it must, therefore, not be so difficult to judge what it requires to be done, that the commonest unpractised understanding, even without worldly prudence, should fail to apply it rightly.

It is always in everyone's power to satisfy the categorical command of morality; whereas it is seldom possible, and by no means so to everyone, to satisfy the empirically conditioned precept of happiness, even with regard to a single purpose.The reason is that in the former case there is question only of the maxim, which must be genuine and pure; but in the latter case there is question also of one's capacity and physical power to realize a desired object.Acommand that everyone should try to make himself happy would be foolish, for one never commands anyone to do what he of himself infallibly wishes to do.We must only command the means, or rather supply them, since he cannot do everything that he wishes.But to command morality under the name of duty is quite rational; for, in the first place, not everyone is willing to obey its precepts if they oppose his inclinations; and as to the means of obeying this law, these need not in this case be taught, for in this respect whatever he wishes to do be can do.

同类推荐
  • 韩非子

    韩非子

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 金液大丹诗

    金液大丹诗

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 太上慈悲道场灭罪水忏

    太上慈悲道场灭罪水忏

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 西使记

    西使记

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 道德经篇章玄颂

    道德经篇章玄颂

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 鬼宿村杀人事件

    鬼宿村杀人事件

    罗基和赵锐来到一个与世隔绝的村落——鬼宿村。这是一个由避祸到此的宋代遗民和一个叫傀傩族的神秘民族混居的村庄。从第一天起,就发生了离奇的死亡事件。一个修士被烧焦在祠堂,可是院子里只有修士进入祠堂的脚印。接下来,赵锐在追赶一个能穿墙又会瞬间移动的“怪物”时,在崖顶的十字架上发现了无头尸体。之后,一个道士被木桩穿心而亡,而唯一通往现场的出口一直有人观望,凶手似乎有一对翅膀。可是,死亡并没有结束。二百年前,鬼宿村的村民误以为入村的四个传教士是吸血僵尸,用四种残酷的方法将四人杀害。为首的传教士在临死前下了诅咒。几具尸体与传教士的死法如出一辙,是冤魂作祟吗?恐怖弥漫了整个鬼宿村。
  • 希利尔讲艺术史

    希利尔讲艺术史

    作者化繁为简,将艺术知识和艺术鉴赏变成孩子们熟悉的生活片段,以平实的方式,揭示出了伟大艺术最平易近人的一面。旨在为孩子们注入持续一生的对于真、善、美的热爱。
  • 复仇王妃也倾城

    复仇王妃也倾城

    (本文纯属虚构)“【原创作者社团『未央』出品】”简介:蓝真珠表面上是一个20岁正在等待A大入取通知书的学生,实际上却是为一个社会上的黑暗组织里的一员情报调查员,此组织被所知道的人统称为—黑色蝴蝶。因为知晓蝴蝶组织的幕后之人,被其所杀。却阴差阳错的魂进未央国的一个王爷遗弃暗杀掉的同名王妃身上,是归隐还是调查着在自个身上所不为认知的秘密?逃离姑姑,却发现所到之处很多人对她的容貌指指点点,似乎引起太大震动,所以为了更方便自己于是化妆丑女.初遇如风,误打误撞。接近那名义上的相公上官墨晨,想要搞清楚,却发现他身边竟有一位和自己一模一样长相的人,这人是谁?目的何在?而且那个貌可于女子相比的妖孽男子又是何方神圣.绕转着上官墨晨和上官墨誉如风,三人,似乎越来越惊险,蓝玉死亡前的一句话,造就了无可挽回的局面,是拿起剑柄手刃仇人,还是依然可以什么都不当一回事……步步紧逼,却发现蓝真珠本尊身上似乎还携带着什么秘密……谜底揭开之后,她又何去何从?是留下还是……详细请看文(架空穿越,如有雷同,纯属巧合)
  • 至尊武帝

    至尊武帝

    我有一剑可灭苍天,我有一刀可断轮回,我有一眼洞穿幽冥,我若成仙,则天地无仙,我若为魔,则天地无魔。
  • 陌上枝头

    陌上枝头

    莫关关曾经用一个五年去做一场梦,梦醒后,又用了另一个五年背着回忆流浪。风餐露宿。她去过最远的远方,爬过最高的高山,邂逅过最美的男子……兜兜转转,走走停停,又回到了最初的地方。昔日背叛的恋人,拥在她的耳边,一次一次沉沉唤着,回来吧,回来我继续爱你,不让你受丁点儿委屈。曾经只远远站在身后的温柔男子,如今一招一式,步步为营,一点儿一点儿走进她的心里……为了拿命救过她的女子,她选择嫁给那个站在高处,指点江山的男人,他说,容你一个窝,免你四下流离。可惜他给的,不是她的安乐窝,娶了她,又虐着她,一次又一次的逃离,逃到他再也找不到的地方……*****当我站在瀑布前,觉得非常的难过,我总觉得应该是两个人站在这里。莫关关,不如我们重新开始。但是你又在哪里……我走过高山,穿过荒原,天涯海角,依旧是找不到。是不是错过了就再也寻不回。
  • 高血压食疗药膳

    高血压食疗药膳

    药补不如食补”不仅是医学界,也是广大民众的共识。本书根据高血压的不同病症及其食疗原则,选编了数百道取材方便、制作简单、功效良好的食疗菜(汤)式,冀望为广大病患者提供一条积极有效的食疗捷径,使病患者能防病治病,健身强体,更好地享受高质量的人生之乐。
  • 异瞳

    异瞳

    一次意外,她有了一双能看见异样物体的瞳孔,能看到人的身上会出现白、灰、黑等颜色的气团,白色是气运,是运气、命数和幸福;黑色是丧气,是只有在人心充满欲望的时候入侵的心魔兽;黄色的气团是她收留的宠物宝儿。她带着宝儿将要和这些心魔兽做怎样的斗争呢?
  • 这一代人的怕与爱:80后的自画像

    这一代人的怕与爱:80后的自画像

    2010年,曾经引起无数话题的80后开始步入“奔三”的行列,他们不再天真不再任性。如今的他们是否已经实现了自己的理想?是依旧潇洒单身还是家庭美满?又能否承担起“上有老,下有小”的家庭责任……本书与众多80后一起面对这一代人的理想与迷茫彷徨与坚强,共同探讨这2.04亿人群集体的怕与爱。
  • 不负卿心

    不负卿心

    她勤劳勇敢,处处为他人着想,可是却被称为妖童,遭众人唾弃。他为一己私欲,收她为徒。教授同时不断吸取她的精元,以壮大自身。迎接她的,是无休止的欺骗和利用,真实身份的揭穿,让他肝肠寸断,为完成使命抹去她的记忆。以为只是一场游戏,可是却种下了痕!
  • 温暖的猫

    温暖的猫

    黑夜雨声,使的心中的世界更加宁静。女孩,感到的不是孤单,而是喜欢听着雨声沉浸在自己的世界中,天马行空,任由幻想。男孩,每天的烦恼只有在雨声中得到释怀,一个人静静听着,一个人的时光渐入梦乡。猫,渐渐把两个世界连接一起,从此,彼此的世界有了彼此。……………………