The Duties of Mercy

Authors

  • Michael Stephen G. Aurelio

Abstract

If goodness for Kant as seen above comes solely from one’s duty, what then could be the possible motive for “supererogatory acts” (exemplified by the hero or the saint) which go beyond the call of duty? Because “supererogatory acts” involve the transgression of duty, what would be its corresponding motive? This paper will show that it is here in these acts that we may find a place for love, benevolence and kindness, the motives which Kant appears to disqualify as motives for moral action. This will be illustrated by appeal to a famous painting by Caravaggio, “The Seven Works of Mercy”.

Author Biography

Michael Stephen G. Aurelio

Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines

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Issue

Vol. 15 No. 2 (2014): July - December 2014

Section

Articles

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