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clue to the answer of the theoretical； and… in its highest form…
speculative question。 For all hoping has happiness for its object
and stands in precisely the same relation to the practical and the law
of morality as knowing to the theoretical cognition of things and
the law of nature。 The former arrives finally at the conclusion that
something is （which determines the ultimate end）； because something
ought to take place； the latter； that something is （which operates
as the highest cause）； because something does take place。
Happiness is the satisfaction of all our desires； extensive； in
regard to their multiplicity； intensive； in regard to their degree；
and protensive； in regard to their duration。 The practical law based
on the motive of happiness I term a pragmatical law （or prudential
rule）； but that law； assuming such to exist； which has no other motive
than the worthiness of being happy； I term a moral or ethical law。 The
first tells us what we have to do； if we wish to become possessed of
happiness； the second dictates how we ought to act； in order to
deserve happiness。 The first is based upon empirical principles； for
it is only by experience that I can learn either what inclinations
exist which desire satisfaction； or what are the natural means of
satisfying them。 The second takes no account of our desires or the
means of satisfying them； and regards only the freedom of a rational
being； and the necessary conditions under which alone this freedom can
harmonize with the distribution of happiness according to
principles。 This second law may therefore rest upon mere ideas of pure
reason； and may be cognized a priori。
I assume that there are pure moral laws which determine； entirely
a priori （without regard to empirical motives； that is； to happiness）；
the conduct of a rational being； or in other words； to use which it
makes of its freedom； and that these laws are absolutely imperative
（not merely hypothetically； on the supposition of other empirical
ends）； and therefore in all respects necessary。 I am warranted in
assuming this； not only by the arguments of the most enlightened
moralists； but by the moral judgement of every man who will make the
attempt to form a distinct conception of such a law。
Pure reason； then； contains； not indeed in its speculative； but in
its practical； or； more strictly； its moral use； principles of the
possibility of experience； of such actions； namely； as； in
accordance with ethical precepts； might be met with in the history
of man。 For since reason commands that such actions should take place；
it must be possible for them to take place； and hence a particular
kind of systematic unity… the moral… must be possible。 We have
found； it is true； that the systematic unity of nature could not be
established according to speculative principles of reason； because；
while reason possesses a causal power in relation to freedom； it has
none in relation to the whole sphere of nature； and； while moral
principles of reason can produce free actions； they cannot produce
natural laws。 It is； then； in its practical； but especially in its
moral use； that the principles of pure reason possess objective
reality。
I call the world a moral world； in so far as it may be in accordance
with all the ethical laws… which； by virtue of the freedom of
reasonable beings； it can be； and according to the necessary laws of
morality it ought to be。 But this world must be conceived only as an
intelligible world； inasmuch as abstraction is therein made of all
conditions （ends）； and even of all impediments to morality （the
weakness or pravity of human nature）。 So far； then； it is a mere idea…
though still a practical idea… which may have； and ought to have； an
influence on the world of sense； so as to bring it as far as
possible into conformity with itself。 The idea of a moral world has；
therefore； objective reality； not as referring to an object of
intelligible intuition… for of such an object we can form no
conception whatever… but to the world of sense… conceived； however； as
an object of pure reason in its practical use… and to a corpus
mysticum of rational beings in it； in so far as the liberum
arbitrium of the individual is placed； under and by virtue of moral
laws； in complete systematic unity both with itself and with the
freedom of all others。
That is the answer to the first of the two questions of pure
reason which relate to its practical interest： Do that which will
render thee worthy of happiness。 The second question is this： If I
conduct myself so as not to be unworthy of happiness； may I hope
thereby to obtain happiness？ In order to arrive at the solution of
this question； we must inquire whether the principles of pure
reason； which prescribe a priori the law； necessarily also connect
this hope with it。
I say； then； that just as the moral principles are necessary
according to reason in its practical use； so it is equally necessary
according to reason in its theoretical use to assume that every one
has ground to hope for happiness in the measure in which he has made
himself worthy of it in his conduct； and that therefore the system
of morality is inseparably （though only in the idea of pure reason）
connected with that of happiness。
Now in an intelligible； that is； in the moral world； in the
conception of which we make abstraction of all the impediments to
morality （sensuous desires）； such a system of happiness； connected
with and proportioned to morality； may be conceived as necessary；
because freedom of volition… partly incited； and partly restrained
by moral laws… would be itself the cause of general happiness； and
thus rational beings； under the guidance of such principles； would
be themselves the authors both of their own enduring welfare and
that of others。 But such a system of self…rewarding morality is only
an idea； the carrying out of which depends upon the condition that
every one acts as he ought； in other words； that all actions of
reasonable beings be such as they would be if they sprung from a
Supreme Will； comprehending in； or under； itself all particular wills。
But since the moral law is binding on each individual in the use of
his freedom of volition； even if others should not act in conformity
with this law； neither the nature of things； nor the causality of
actions and their relation to morality； determine how the consequences
of these actions will be related to happiness； and the necessary
connection of the hope of happiness with the unceasing endeavour to
become worthy of happiness； cannot be cognized by reason； if we take
nature alone for our guide。 This connection can be hoped for only on
the assumption that the cause of nature is a supreme reason； which
governs according to moral laws。
I term the idea of an intelligence in which the morally most perfect
will； united with supreme blessedness； is the cause of all happiness
in the world； so far as happiness stands in strict ｝