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    Carmelics

    A reasoning platform. Break down any belief into clear reasons, explore both sides, and weigh the evidence honestly.

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    LoyalLoyalJusticeJustice
    Made withinDC&Austin
    Statements
    321,452
    Perspectives
    108,905
    Topics
    42
    Home/Original/inverse
    See Original
    Inverse View

    It is not the case that Kant's Formula of Humanity holds that rational beings must be treated as ends in themselves, never merely as means to another's self-realization.

    ?Set your confidence on the premises below to see your aggregate.

    Reasons For

    1 perspective
    Reason for
    ?
    • 1.All social cooperation requires some instrumental use of others' talents and labor; the distinction between means and ends is too absolute.
      ?

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    • 2.The formula cannot specify what counts as 'merely' means; respecting autonomy often requires accepting people's choices to serve others' ends.
      ?

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    • 3.Duty to treat humans as ends conflicts with other moral demands like beneficence and justice that sometimes require prioritizing certain individuals.
      ?

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    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.Treating persons merely as means enables exploitation and violates their autonomy, which is fundamental to human dignity.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Rational agency is a morally relevant capacity that grounds special obligations to respect others' purposes and choices.
      ?

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    • 3.A moral system permitting instrumentalization of rational beings is self-defeating: it justifies treating the moral agent as a means too.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

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