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Single Idea 3731

[filed under theme 23. Ethics / D. Deontological Ethics / 5. Persons as Ends ]

Full Idea

Rational nature exists as an end in itself; this is the way in which a man necessarily conceives his own existence.

Gist of Idea

Rational beings necessarily conceive their own existence as an end in itself

Source

Immanuel Kant (Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals [1785], 429.66)

Book Ref

Kant,Immanuel: 'The Moral Law (Groundwork of Morals)', ed/tr. Paton,H.J. [Hutchinson 1948], p.91

The 5 ideas with the same theme [seeing rational beings as an ultimate value in actions]:

22050 The maxim of an action is chosen, and not externally imposed [Kant, by Bowie]
6694 Always treat humanity as an end and never as a means only [Kant]
3731 Rational beings necessarily conceive their own existence as an end in itself [Kant]
6201 Everyone (even God) must treat rational beings as ends in themselves, and not just as means [Kant]
21031 Man cannot dispose of himself, because he is not a thing to be owned [Sandel]