ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an explication of Immanuel Kant’s Formula of Universal Law and of some of the ways in which this affects the character of an ethic for autonomous beings. It discusses some ways in which intentional action can fall into inconsistency even when the question of universalizing is not raised. Because a universality test for autonomous beings does not look at what is wanted, nor at the results of action, but merely demands that certain standards of consistency be observed in autonomously chosen action, it has to work with a conception of action which has the sort of formal structure which can meet standards of consistency. Kant, however, explicitly formulates only one of the principles which must be observed by an agent who is not to fall into volitional inconsistency. The maxim of an individual who decides to develop no talents, while imprudent, reveals no volitional inconsistency.
