Teleological sources of self-commitment

The article presents the problem of self-commitment as the foundation of one’s identity. It refers to the conceptions of Immanuel Kant and Christine Korsgaard to expose the role of norms in shaping one’s identity. However, it stresses the fact that the process of self-constitution as aresult of self-commitment needs also ateleologi-cal frame. Self-commitment requires an aim to explain why it is worth undertaking it. Kant’s teleology can be found in his humanism while Korsgaard’s teleology in her identifications with norms. They both seem to understand humanity as avalue and an end. Hence humanity appears as the sources of obligation and motivation. Understanding humanity as avalue makes self-commitment not only possible but also meaningful.