But what interests us more here is to know that the prime foundation of morality laid down by all these principles is nothing but heteronomy of the will, and for this reason they must necessarily miss their aim.
Physical necessity is a heteronomy of the efficient causes, for every effect is possible only according to this law, that something else determines the efficient cause to exert its causality.
If, then, Autonomy of Will is the supreme principle, Heteronomy is the source of all ungenuine principles, of Morality.
Principles founded on the Heteronomy of the Will--Happiness, Perfection.
Heteronomy is whenever the Will does not give itself laws, but some object, in relation to the Will, gives them.
The distinction between autonomy and heteronomy separates true from false ethics, the system of Kant from all other systems.
Man himself, his practical reason, is the ultimate foundation of all moral obligation; did man lead a good life out of obedience to God it would be a heteronomy unworthy of the name of "moral.
It shows itself, nevertheless, in their systems, as it always produces heteronomy of practical reason; and from this can never be derived a moral law giving universal commands.
