KANT CI

Summarize and explain the second formulation of the categorical imperative commanding us to treat people (ourselves included) as “ends in themselves” and never merely as means. Consider intrinsic versus instrumental value and how that value plays a role in moral theory.

The main objective of one wanting to be a “good human” is to be respectful of others as well as yourself. It doesn’t take much to be respectful. There are three things one should be looking for or acknowledging to calculate the formula. “First, the Humanity Formula does not rule out using people as means to our ends.” In the article, the writer explains that for so long we’ve used humans whether it be good or bad manner. We mainly use humans to get to our goals and we use them according to talent. For example, most teenagers use their parents to accomplish their goal. They use them to get food, clothes, to school, sports practice, a roof to live under, etc. Using them to one’s benefit doesn’t get a person anywhere according to the C.I. but in fact it makes them seem like “bad people”. “Second, it is not human beings per se but the ‘humanity’ in human beings that we must treat as an end in itself.” We also consider other people’s beliefs or lives to account. Realizing that they are also human and using them, benefit them as they do to us. For example, in the instance of the taxi driver, we would use a taxi driver over a horse. The reason being is that it not only benefits us but them as well. The taxi driver gets to do his job as we go on and complete our goal. “Third, the idea of an end has three senses for Kant, two positive senses and a negative sense.” Thinking about the end goal or the end result may lead to your final results in Kants theory. Are you willing to continue your goal and use others for your benefit or theirs? Will you choose another path and stop reaching for the goal? Depending on the path you take and the reasons for taking the path, your C.I. would vary.