Kant: Principle of Humanity and the Good Will

Why does Kant think we have to treat other people with respect?

Always treat a human being (yourself included) as an end, and never ad a mere means

Kant’s Principle of Humanity

Every human is endowed with dignity and deserves special moral treatment because they are rational and autonomous (self-legislating). The fact that we are able to make free, rational decisions—our ability to envision and execute plans for our own lives—gives us the right to make these decisions without impediment or compulsion from others.

What does it mean to treat someone as an end?

Respect their dignity, choices, and ability to make rational decisions.

What does it mean to treat someone merely as a means?

Using them for your benefit without respecting their autonomy or consent.

What do rationality and autonomy mean for kant?

We can reason, make our own choices, and direct our lives.

Why does Kant believe slavery, rape, torture, and murder are wrong?

Heinous crimes are always wrong, in this case, one is treating another human being as if they weren’t autonomous

Why is paternalism wrong?

It overrides adults’ ability to make their own rational decisions.

Why do people have basic human rights according to Kant?

Rights protect our ability to exercise rationality and autonomy

Why can we hold people accountable for their actions?

We assume they can make rational choices and are responsible for them

The Good Will

The commitment to done’s moral duty because it is right

According to Kant, what determines an actions moral worth?

The motive of duty, not the outcome or personal benefit.

Perfect duty

(things you always have to do) are actions that fail the test of the categorical imperative. If everyone always lied, it would be incoherent to lie. Therefore, you always have a duty to tell the truth.

Imperfect Duties

(things you have to do but not every time) are actions that pass the test of the Categorical Imperative but fail to treat humans as ends rather than as means.

Example of Imperfect duties

Giving to charity, it would not be incoherent to think of a world in which no one gave to charity, but if for your whole life you always turn down the requests for charity made by those less fortunate than yourself, Kant thinks you will have failed to do your duty to treat people as ends.