The Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals (1785), the first of Kant's three main ethical works, programmatically presents the key concepts, positions, and principles of his moral philosophy. This will be followed by the Critique of Practical Reason (1788), which provides the systematic foundation of ethics, and the Metaphysics of Morals (1797), which includes its application to the philosophy of law and the specific part of ethics.

The Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals develops a completely groundbreaking moral philosophy that does not aim at individual selfish happiness, but at making humans actively worthy of happiness and human nature. Characteristic features of this ethics are that it: is based on reason, does not concern itself with what people actually do, but with what is morally justifiable and true values, independent of the prevailing, conventional, or established ethics.

This ethics could be summarized in a basic rule: "act rationally" or "act as a rational being" or (in clear resemblance to Stoic ethics): "to live according to reason and nature." It introduces a completely new concept of freedom as independence from physical and any other necessity, as autonomy and self-activity.

At the same time, it does not overlook that it addresses human beings, i.e., finite, imperfect, fragile (and merely potentially rational) beings dependent on numerous needs. A multitude of objections, criticisms, and reservations against Kantian ethics has been formulated, for example, that it is overly intellectualistic, formalistic, “constructivist,” and exclusively deontological, or even that it overlooks the human need for happiness. The study of the Groundwork can contribute, at least partially, to the disproof of these prejudices and misunderstandings.

The Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals is universally recognized - jointly, for example, with Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics - as one of the most significant classical and foundational works of moral philosophy. Compared to the other two works in the Kantian ethical trilogy, the Groundwork is written in a much more vivid, clear, and understandable style, making it the best introduction to Kant's work.

For the rendering of this demanding work, which has been said to be characterized by "vitality, flexibility, and momentum," the translator sought the utmost possible accuracy and fidelity, while also ensuring the naturalness and flow of the Greek language. The translation by Kostas Androulidakis has been made from the German original based on the edition of the Berlin Academy of Sciences and the main recent critical editions.

In the margin of the translation, the pagination of the Berlin Academy edition is presented, to which international references to Kant's work are made. The comments of the edition include: a) a critique of the text; b) clarifications of terms and concepts; c) basic factual information about the individuals and their works referenced in the text; d) brief interpretive comments with conceptual clarifications as well as correlations with corresponding passages in other works of Kant.

The edition is complemented by a Timeline of Kant's life and works, with indices of persons and concepts as well as an extensive international Bibliography.