The Propensity to Evil and the Evil Fundamental Maxim

ABSTRACT Kant's view that there is a propensity to evil in human nature has been thought to be both internally inconsistent and in tension with his other philosophical commitments. This essay provides an interpretation of the propensity to evil to defend Kant from these objections. I argue that the propensity to evil is the choice of the evil fundamental maxim. I then assess Kant's claims that the propensity to evil is universal and inextirpable given this interpretation. I conclude by proposing a new interpretation of why Kant deliberately employs religious language in developing his account of the propensity to evil.