Rousseau et le thème de la contradiction dans la morale kantienne
We are aware of the important role played by the concept of contradiction in the four examples introduced by Kant in his Groundwork in order to show how the categorical imperative enables to assess the moral value of a maxim. With the help of the “Remarks” in the Observations on the Feeling of the Beautiful and Sublime, I examine the influence that Rousseau is likely to have exerted on Kant’s adoption of the theme of contradiction. We would be well advised here to distinguish between the contradiction at work at the juridical level and the one at work at the ethical level. The way Rousseau and Kant approach the “lie” as a moral fault is quite revealing of the manner in which each of them tries to eliminate the contradiction for the sake of authenticity.
Kant Rousseau Contradiction Ethics Lie Authenticity