Writing Assignment #1: Annotating a Text

Reflection on Annotations of Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals

While annotating Kant’s Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, I realized that after my first read-through, I actually had very little understanding of the material. It made me realize that even though I can read through our readings fast, it’s much more about understanding the material than it is about just getting it done. This was a surprise to me as normally I was able to do both of these together, but this kind of dense academic reading is very new to me. But, figuring out tricks through these annotations like putting hard-to-understand points into simpler words has really helped me out. For example, Kant states the definition of an imperative is, “The conception of an objective principle so far as this principle is necessitating for a will is called a command (of reason), and the formula of this command is called an Imperative”(Kant, Introduction to Philosophy 530). This definition was confusing to me so I decided to go through word by word and make my own definition, which came out to, a proposition in which a certain action is necessary. I think using this method is best for me as it follows my thinking process and helps me connect things easier. 

The thing this project did for me the most was help me to understand the information well enough to the point that I could apply it to other texts. This became clear to me when we were discussing Antigone, specifically about Creon and Antigone’s obligations. Because I had done a deeper dive into imperatives with my annotations I was able to apply the concepts of both hypothetical and categorical imperatives to both characters’ duties and discuss which of their obligations had more value or worth to it. 

  A hypothetical imperative is one in which you take an action in order to reach a desired end, and the action changes based on the results you want. A categorical imperative is one in which you take an action regardless of the consequences because it is your duty to, or because it is just. By simplifying the definitions of these concepts in my annotations, I was able to better apply them in discussion and understand them going forward. Using Antigone, when put into imperative form, Creon’s actions would be hypothetical. Creon sees sticking to his own law and forbidding the burial of Polynices, “a city-wide proclamation…forbids anyone to bury him, even mourn him,” as a necessary action in order to hold onto his power and protect his kingdom (Antigone 33-34).  Antigone’s actions, on the other hand, if put into imperative form would be categorical. She is willing to perform this burial because she knows it is her duty to do so, so she does not care that death may befall her afterward as she is obligated to perform this duty regardless of consequence.

While the first round of annotations helped me to understand the subject and material better, the second round had me asking questions about things I thought I now understood and making connections between things throughout the page which, while confusing at some points, I believe will help me out immensely in the rest of this class and beyond. 

Works Cited

Kant, Immanuel. “Introduction to Philosophy.” Edited by John Perry, Google Books, Google, 2016, www.google.com/books/edition/Introduction_to_Philosophy/MdBYrgEACAAJ?hl=en. 

Sophocles. The Three Theban Plays: Antigone; Oedipus the King; Oedipus at Colonus, translated by Robert Fagles, Penguin Books, 1984.