Single Idea 21421

[catalogued under 16. Persons / A. Concept of a Person / 4. Persons as Agents]

Full Idea

In the system of nature, man is a being of slight importance ....but man regarded as a person, that is as the subject of a morally practical reason, is exalted above any price.

Gist of Idea

Within nature man is unimportant, but as moral person he is above any price

Source

Immanuel Kant (Metaphysics of Morals II:Doctrine of Virtue [1797], 434 I.I)

Book Reference

Kant,Immanuel: 'The Metaphysics of Morals', ed/tr. Gregor,Mary [CUP 1991], p.230


A Reaction

See what you've done, John Locke? You've given yet another ground for claiming that humans are angels or demi-gods, exalted far above our animal cousins.