Imagine that Johanna shows from an early age both an aptitude for learning and unusual dexterity in her fingers. She considers various career paths that would maximize the use of these talents: surgeon,pianist,and scientist.In the end,she decides that she would rather not work at all.Why does Kant believe it is ethically wrong for her to neglect her talents?
A) If she does not contribute to society,she would be merely using others as a means to her ends of mindless enjoyment.
B) Fostering one's talents is a perfect duty that applies in all circumstances,universally.
C) Society will be worse off without the benefit of her talents.
D) There is a contradiction in willing the universalization of the maxim "one ought to neglect one's talents."

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Kant believes that neglecting one's talents creates a contradiction in the principle of universalization. If everyone were to neglect their talents, society would be worse off as a whole. Therefore, Johanna has a duty to use her talents for the betterment of society, rather than simply using others for her own enjoyment.

Imagine That Johanna Shows from an Early Age Both an Aptitude