The Study On Kant's Radical Evil Theory

Good and evil is the main idea in Kant's philosophy. From the perspective of epistemology, Kant's theory symbolizes the"Copernican revolution"; meanwhile, in the issue of good and evil he also adheres to this style. With the difference of the traditional empiric idea of good and evil, Kant bases on the freedom of human being to discuss good and evil. He defines"good"as the motive of obeying ethical principles; on the contrary, evil is the reverse of this motive. Judging evil is not according to the outcome of action, but according to the motive of the action and whether following the principles of this motive. Good is by nature in human being; it cannot be removed. So good is the basic power of overcoming evil. Evil is the reverse of the spirit, thereby overcoming evil means to make the subvert spirit upside down. Therefore the way of overcoming evil is the revolution of the spirit. The issue of overcoming evil is directly related to religion. Under the premise of self-discipline, Kant reinterprets Christianity. Kant's theory of good and evil can richly contribute to re-develop the responsibility and duty of human being in China society.