Question

One of Kant’s statements in his categorical imperative is, “We should always treat persons as ends in themselves, never as a means to an end.” What does he mean by this? Give me an example where someone is being treated as a means to an end.

Answer 1

The meaning of this statement is close to Ethics for treating your clients.

When we say the above statement it essentially means that we must 'Value' the individual just because he exists.

We should not be saying that he is of 'no use so he has no value' or he 'valuable be cause he is of use'

For example a mentally retarded child may be of no value, he may not contribute to the society in a contructive way like intellectual normal peoole but that doesnt mean we can kill him. Its unethical.

Another example is Euthanasia argument which says just because a person in terminally ill with almost no sign of life and no value to society doesnt mean we can pull the plug on him. It should be unethical because he or she still exists and that give him or her value.

When we use the statement 'means to an end' it basically means using someone to fulfil your own need and that gives him value.

For example : during therapy one may schedule unnecessary or excess appointments for the same client to extract more money from him/her.Or having business relationship with your client or sexual relationship are all considered unethical to practice or Psychiatry and Psychology.