Act that you use humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other. Always at the same time as an end, never merely as a means
Understanding This Rule
Rationality is Sacred
Kant believed that rationality is sacred. We are the only known creatures that can weigh moral decisions. If we dont effectively use our rationality, the universe would be a waste and in vain. Without intelligence and the freedom to exercise that intelligence, we might aswell be a bunch of rocks.
Morality Derived from Protecting Consciousness
Each moral action is derived from the protection/promotion of rational consciousness in every individual.
Withhold Treating Consciousness as Means
If you use another conscious object as part of your means, to achieve some end, you are engaging in unethical behavior.
Implications
Self Treatment
Treat yourself the best you can, because doing anything else is to use yourself as a means to an end. If you spend all day scrolling twitter, you are treating your mind as a means to attain pleasure.
Addiction
One should never self-indulge. You would be treating yourself out of your lifes potential. Lying to yourself is just as unethical as lying to others.
People Pleasing
When you do actions that only seek to please people, you are altering your control over yourself and treating yourself as a means to an end. If you also consider the end to be that the person is happy, then you treat that person as an means aswell.
Manipulation/Coercion
The only way that there can be healthy interactions is if there is fully informed consent. To be consenting, it is just as simple as being respectful. To take reactions and respect them.
Marketting Tactics
Almost all forms of marketing that explicitly make you the product are unethical. In Capitalism, it is almost impossible for anyone to be rich without some degree of manipulation/coercion
Bigotry
Slavery and exploitation should see those exploited as being used as means to an end. Kant believed to stop Colonialism, there should be a world government like United Nations
Self-Improvement
If you want to make the world a better place, be the change you want to see. (See Kant’s Self Improvement Argument)
Self-Respect
Self-respect is about knowing your own value. Lying to yourself and saying you are worthless is just as bad as telling others they are worthless