What does Kant mean by “acting out of duty”? How does the shopkeeper’s example inform this?

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Even though we do not feel like it, Kant proposes that we have a responsibility to act in particular ways. This is because there are some things that are morally right or wrong, regardless of our personal feelings. To explain the acting out of duty concept, Immanuel Kant presents the shopkeeper’s example.

The shopkeeper has a duty to his customers to provide them with honest and accurate information about the products he sells. However, he also has a duty to himself and his family to make a profit. Kant’s point is that the shopkeeper should not act solely out of self-interest but rather should balance his duties to others with his own self-interest.

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Academic.Tips. 2023. "What does Kant mean by "acting out of duty"? How does the shopkeeper's example inform this?" March 25, 2023. https://academic.tips/question/what-does-kant-mean-by-acting-out-of-duty-how-does-the-shopkeepers-example-inform-this/.

1. Academic.Tips. "What does Kant mean by "acting out of duty"? How does the shopkeeper's example inform this?" March 25, 2023. https://academic.tips/question/what-does-kant-mean-by-acting-out-of-duty-how-does-the-shopkeepers-example-inform-this/.

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Academic.Tips. "What does Kant mean by "acting out of duty"? How does the shopkeeper's example inform this?" March 25, 2023. https://academic.tips/question/what-does-kant-mean-by-acting-out-of-duty-how-does-the-shopkeepers-example-inform-this/.

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"What does Kant mean by "acting out of duty"? How does the shopkeeper's example inform this?" Academic.Tips, 25 Mar. 2023, academic.tips/question/what-does-kant-mean-by-acting-out-of-duty-how-does-the-shopkeepers-example-inform-this/.

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