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Single Idea 21434

[filed under theme 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 3. Virtues / h. Respect ]

Full Idea

I cannot deny all respect to even a vicious man as a man; I cannot withdraw at least the respect that belongs to him in his quality as a man, even though by his deeds he makes himself unworthy of it.

Gist of Idea

We must respect the humanity even in a vicious criminal

Source

Immanuel Kant (Metaphysics of Morals II:Doctrine of Virtue [1797], 463 I.II)

Book Ref

Kant,Immanuel: 'The Metaphysics of Morals', ed/tr. Gregor,Mary [CUP 1991], p.255

A Reaction

The obvious way to find some respect for a vicious criminal is to ask how they got that way. Their state is almost certainly self-destructive, and not what they would ever have wished for. Would they choose eternal recurrence?

The 18 ideas with the same theme [assigning value to the lives of others]:

21029 Kantian respect is for humanity and reason (not from love or sympathy or solidarity) [Kant, by Sandel]
21425 We can love without respect, and show respect without love [Kant]
21427 Respect is limiting our self-esteem by attending to the human dignity of other persons [Kant]
21430 Disrespect is using a person as a mere means to my own ends [Kant]
21428 Respect is purely negative (of not exalting oneself over others), and is thus a duty of Right [Kant]
21426 Love urges us to get closer to people, but respect to keep our distance [Kant]
21434 We must respect the humanity even in a vicious criminal [Kant]
20259 Teach youth to respect people who differ with them, not people who agree with them [Nietzsche]
1460 Religious experience deserves the same respect as our other key experiences, and is best called 'holy' [Taylor,AE, by PG]
21517 Individuals need creativity, reverence for others, and self-respect [Russell]
5917 People lose their rights if they do not respect the rights of others [Ross]
23815 We cannot equally respect what is unequal, so equal respect needs a shared ground [Weil]
23837 Respect is our only obligation, which can only be expressed through deeds, not words [Weil]
4005 To have respect for people, you must feel their claims, or their injustices, or hold them in awe [Taylor,C]
3236 Equality of opportunity without equality of respect would create a very inhuman society [Williams,B]
23223 The word 'respect' ranges from mere non-interference to the highest levels of reverence [Blackburn]
7589 Altruism is either emotional (where your interests are mine) or moral (where they are reasons for me) [Scruton]
20547 We should respect the right of people to live in their own way, even if it is irrational [Swift]