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The Metaphysics of Morals

Immanuel Kant · 1797

Kant's 1797 work applying his moral philosophy to law, property, punishment and the state, his last major work on ethics.

Kant's own late systematic work applying his moral philosophy to law, property and the state.

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Title page of an 1870 Berlin edition of Immanuel Kant's Metaphysik der Sitten, edited by J. H. von Kirchmann, published by L. Heimann. Text is in German, black serif type on white.
Immanuel Kant, The Metaphysics of Morals, 1797. Title page shown is from an 1870 Berlin edition edited by J. H. von Kirchmann.

About this source

What it is

This is a 1797 book by Immanuel Kant, his last major work in moral philosophy. It is divided into the Doctrine of Right, covering political and legal rights, and the Doctrine of Virtue, covering ethical duties. Kant revised it slightly for a second edition in 1798.

Why it matters

The book builds on Kant's earlier Groundwork and Critique of Practical Reason to work out a full system of law and ethics. It covers property, punishment, the separation of powers in the state, and duties people owe to themselves and others, including his idea that any action is right only if it can coexist with everyone's freedom under a universal law. It shows how Kant tried to extend his abstract moral philosophy into practical questions of politics and daily conduct.

Look closer

  • Why might Kant have separated 'rights' from 'virtues' into two parts?
  • What does his idea of a 'universal law of freedom' ask us to imagine?
  • How might this late work differ from Kant's earlier, more famous writings on ethics?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Immanuel Kant on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Title page of the 1781 first edition of Kant's Critique of Pure Reason. Blackletter title reads Critik der reinen Vernunft, von Immanuel Kant, Professor in Königsberg. Below: Riga, verlegts Johann Friedrich Hartknoch, 1781, with a floral wreath ornament.Book

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Critique of Pure Reason

Immanuel Kant · 1781 (revised 1787)

Printed page in German blackletter type headed 'Beantwortung der Frage: Was ist Aufklärung?' with the opening lines of Kant's essay, beginning 'Aufklärung ist der Ausgang des Menschen aus seiner selbst verschuldeten Unmündigkeit.' Page footer reads '2ter Band'.Book

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Answering the Question: What Is Enlightenment?

Immanuel Kant · 1784

Title page of Kant's Grundlegung zur Metaphysik der Sitten, printed in black Fraktur blackletter: 'Grundlegung zur Metaphysik der Sitten, von Immanuel Kant', with a decorative rococo ornament, a rule, and 'Riga, bey Johann Friedrich Hartknoch 1785' on a cream page.Book

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Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals

Immanuel Kant · 1785

Title page of Kant's 'Zum ewigen Frieden' printed in black Fraktur type. Text reads 'Zum ewigen Frieden. Ein philosophischer Entwurf von Immanuel Kant', with publication line 'Königsberg, bey Friedrich Nicolovius, 1795' at the bottom.Book

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Perpetual Peace: A Philosophical Sketch

Immanuel Kant · 1795

Title page of the 1788 German edition of Kant's Critique of Practical Reason: 'Critik der practischen Vernunft von Immanuel Kant', with a floral wreath ornament, 'Riga, bey Johann Friedrich Hartknoch 1788', and a purple library stamp at bottom right.Book

Primary source

Critique of Practical Reason

Immanuel Kant · 1788 (completed 1787)

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