Full Idea
For Kant, there is something about beings that can act autonomously that is itself of 'absolute worth', which Kant calls the 'dignity' [Würde] of each such agent.
Gist of Idea
An autonomous agent has dignity [Würde], which has absolute worth
Source
report of Immanuel Kant (Critique of Practical Reason [1788]) by Terry Pinkard - German Philosophy 1760-1860 02
Book Reference
Pinkard,Terry: 'German Philosophy 1760-1860' [CUP 2002], p.53
A Reaction
This answers my puzzle about where Kant's fundamental values come from. Surely wicked actions can be autonomous? Autonomous actions aren't thereby good actions. A 'good' will, course, whatever that is. Rational? My problem with existentialist ethics.