PHIL 1 Lecture 28: Phil 1 Notes 28
Document Summary
Kant offers a second test , that is supposed to yield the same results. So act that you use humantiy, whether in your own person or in the person of any other, always at the same time as an end, never merely as a means. Kants most influential ethical ideal: human beings have dignity and are deserving of respect. They are to be assumed to possess humanity and perfect morals. Human beings have a distinct status (unlike all other beings): they are ends in themselves. They are deserving of respect, irrespective of what they have done or are about to do. They place absolute limits on our ations. We are not permitted to violate their dignity. We should make their ends our own. We should do what we can to help others achieve their ends. Kant thinks we are not permitted to lie to someone, even if we predict that this person will commit an immoral action.