Kant’s Doctrine and Duty of Moral Duty explores how law and moral duty relate. Kant claims that we should not view duty as imprisoning and imposing. It is not a force that seeks to eliminate freedom or love. We must instead realize that true love is only possible when there is a mutual sense of duty. There are two types, intrinsic and extrinsic. Extrinsic duties can be described as a duty that is imposed on an object by external circumstances or elements, such as society, religion, or the family unit. Intrinsic duty refers to a sense that resides within oneself. Kant explains the difference between the two in his Critique of Practical Reason. Kant explains that all people must agree to one universal moral principle. There would not be objective morality without a universal, transcendental moral foundation. This would lead to moral relativism or subjectivity. This would encourage selfish love. This is avoidable by agreeing to a “categorical Imperative”, i.e., a law which applies to everyone. A contractual relationship that is bound to duty makes one moral. Morality outside of a contractual relation is based only upon opinions. There are no universal moral laws. Therefore, any notion of absolute morality or objective morality is quickly destroyed. Kant makes a fundamental statement about love that can help us understand our views. It states: “In absence of duty, Love is hopelessly selfish. Fickle. And lacking in objective morality.” This categorical imperative must be applied to all who seek to live virtuously and morally. Kant believes that all living beings possess intrinsic value. They all have intrinsic value. They must be loved as their inner worth. Their worth should not ever be undervalued or diminished. It is wrong to claim to love a woman if you only want to manipulate her or use her to gain wealth or social status. A man may love a woman because she is intrinsically valuable and will pursue true love morally and honestly. Kant says that matrimony is the only way to achieve such a contract relationship in its purest form. Kant also claims that sex in wedlock is selfish. Kant emphasizes the necessity of love throughout his argument. We are all obligated as humans to submit to higher moral orders. Kant doesn’t even mention the possibility for love to have an altruistic aspect. He refers to love only as a moral obligation. Kant holds to absolutes. You can choose to love on morality or duty. Different types of love should not be criticized in the light of a greater universal order. Kant doesn’t take into account the shifting views about what is objectively right and wrong. Kant’s theory is not flexible in this sense. It only uses a teleological view of love. Moral love requires submission to universal principles. Kant’s theory teaches us a more respectful and elevated kind of love. This not only protects the parties from manipulation or hurt but also encourages us to accept absolute universal principles as our guide. Accepting a higher morality allows us to see people as ends in themselves.
