ETHICAL PRINCIPLES OF KANT’S PHILOSOPHYAS THE BASIS OF INTERCULTURAL INTERACTION
Authors: KORIAKINA ANZHELINA A. 
Published: February 2025

In the context of the modern globalized world, an important aspect is the study of the ethical principles laid down in the philosophy of Immanuel Kant and their impact on the interaction between representatives of different cultures. Kant’s philosophy offers a deep analysis of these principles, which serve as the basis for assessing moral values. Ethical principles offer fundamental approaches to the foundations of intercultural interaction based on the understanding of duty, good will, autonomy of will, categorical imperative, respect for individual rights and human dignity. The categorical imperative supports the idea of universal principles that can be accepted by all rational beings as general rules of conduct. Studying them in the context of interpersonal and intercultural communication allows us to more deeply understand the foundations of interaction between cultures and effectively apply them in everyday life. The article analyzes the ethical aspects of Kant’s philosophy in order to identify opportunities to improve mutual understanding and cooperation in the context of cultural diversity. Let us consider each of the key principles that make up Kant’s ethical philosophy. The first of these principles is that humans are the only beings that inhabit both a material (phenomenal) and a moral (noumenal) realm. Biological life corresponds to the material realm, while freedom corresponds to the moral realm. Closely related to this concept is his premise that we only know what we can experience. The next principle is formulated in terms of the concept of “duty.” Although this term may seem outdated, the fundamental idea that underlies it will probably seem familiar to many. There are a number of obligations that we perceive as unchangeable and necessary to fulfill, regardless of our true desires and preferences. The third principle has to do with good will. What is important is to do the right thing because it is right. What is important, Kant tells us, is that a good deed be done because it is right - regardless of whether it gives us pleasure. A good will is not determined by what it achieves, in particular not by its effectiveness in achieving any intended goal, but only by its desire, which is good in itself. The next principle draws our attention to the concept of a universal moral law. When we accept Kant’s position and seek to act for the sake of duty, the question arises: what exactly should we do? Kant gives the following answer: we are obliged to act out of respect for the moral law. However, before we are allowed to accept this principle as a guiding one, it is necessary to understand more deeply what Kant means by acting out of respect for the moral law. The next basic principle in Kant’s philosophy is personal autonomy. Autonomy of the will, according to Kant, implies the ability of an individual to act in accordance with the moral law that he himself establishes with the help of his rational nature. This is in contrast to conceptions of ethics based on external sources of morality, such as tradition, authority or customs. It should be noted here that the central concept in Kant’s philosophy is the process of formation of a person as an individual. He says that a person becomes a person thanks to the ability to improve himself and respect both himself and others. In conclusion, the article concludes on the importance of Kant’s moral principles for modern intercultural interaction. The principles of autonomy, respect for the individual, reciprocity and justice, universalization of moral norms and ideals proposed by Kant can serve as an important guide for the formation of ethical foundations for interaction between people from different cultures and contribute to the creation of a common language for intercultural dialogue and an increase in the degree of mutual understanding.