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Full Idea
Act so that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or that of another always as an end and never as a means only.
Gist of Idea
Always treat humanity as an end and never as a means only
Source
Immanuel Kant (Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals [1785]), quoted by Gordon Graham - Eight Theories of Ethics Ch.6
Book Ref
Graham,Gordon: 'Eight Theories of Ethics' [Routledge 2004], p.114
A Reaction
Does this really mean that I can't just negligently buy a newspaper without making an effort to respect its seller? How do I ensure that I treat myself as an end, and don't slip into treating myself as a means? What would that be like? Prostitution?
| 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] |