The Universalizability Principle

1

• The Universalizability Principle
• The problem of multiple maxims
• Any deep diagnosis of this problem?

2

• According to Kant, theres only one Categorical
  Imperative.
• But there are several formulations of the
  Categorical Imperative.
• (Are they really different forms of the same
  thing? Hm.)

3
Categorical Imperative

• 1st Formulation
• Universalizability Principle
• 2nd Formulation
• Humanity Principle

4
The Humanity Principle

• So act as to treat humanity, whether in your own
  person or in that of any other, in every case as
  an end and never merely as a means.

5
The Humanity Principle

• Intuitive idea
• Always treat persons as ends in themselves.
• Dont use people.
• Dont treat people as mere things.
• Treat people with respect and dignity.

6
The Humanity Principle

• Humanity is of absolute worth, of ultimate value,
  of the utmost dignity.
• Everything else has a price, but humanity is
  beyond price.
• It is always wrong to sacrifice humanity for the
  sake of anything else.

7
The Humanity Principle

• Respect people, dont use people, dont treat
  people as though they were things, treat people
  as ends.
• Self-respect is as much of a duty as respect for
  others.

8

• So act as to treat humanity, whether in your own
  person or in that of any other, in every case as
  an end and never merely as a means.

9

• So act as to treat humanity, whether in your own
  person or in that of any other, in every case as
  an end and never merely as a means.

10
What is Humanity?

• Ability to deliberate, to choose, to decide, to
  act for reasons, to act on principle
• Capacity to will, not simply to want
• Rationality
• Practical freedom
• Autonomy

11
What is Humanity?

• Its this feature of persons that gives them
  dignity and ultimate value.
• Our mere physical nature (wants and desires, the
  sorts of things we share with non-human animals)
  do not have the same dignity or value.

12

• So act as to treat humanity, whether in your own
  person or in that of any other, in every case as
  an end and never merely as a means.

13

• So act as to treat humanity, whether in your own
  person or in that of any other, in every case as
  an end and never merely as a means.

14
What is an end?

• An independent reason for action
• A reason for action that does not depend on
  anything else.
• An ultimate value

15
What is an end?

• Contrast an end of action with a mere means.
• A means is a reason for action only because of
  what it can produce, not because it is of value
  in and of itself.

16

• Humanity-as-an-End Formulation in action

17

• I am considering whether to lie to a friend in
  order to get him to loan me money.
• If I lied to him, would I be treating his
  humanity as an end in itself?
• Would I be treating him with respect and dignity?
  
• Or would I be valuing the money more than I value
  the humanity of my friend?

18

• I am considering whether to lie to a friend in
  order to get him to loan me money.

19

• I am considering whether to lie to a friend in
  order to make him happier.

20

• I am considering whether to lie to a friend in
  order to make him happier.
• If I lied to him, would I be treating his
  humanity as an end in itself?
• Would I be affording him the dignity and respect
  he deserves?
• Or would I be valuing his happiness more than I
  value his humanity?

21

• According to the Humanity Principle, its more
  important to treat yourself and others with
  respect than it is to make yourself or others
  happy.

22
Humanity Principle in action

• Suicide to end a painful life
• Murder
• Short-term destruction of rational capacities
  (your own or someone elses)

23
Humanity Principle in action

• False promises and deception
• Manipulation, coercion
• Self-deception, allowing yourself to be
  manipulated

24

• The Humanity Principle absolutely forbids
  destroying or bypassing humanity in anyone,
  regardless of the consequences doing so may
  produce.

25

• The Humanity Principle requires the promotion of
  humanity, in both yourself and others.

26
Humanity Principle in action

• Cultivation of your talents and abilities
• Enabling others to live a life that involves
  rational decision-making

27
Humanity Principle

• Objective
• Rational
• Non-egoistic
• Non-consequentialist

28

• Is the Humanity Formulation equivalent to the
  Universalizability Formulation?
• Does the Humanity Formulation run into similar
  problems?

29

• Punishment
• Utilitarian justification of punishment
• Deterrence (particular and general)
• Rehabilitation

30

• Kant on Punishment
• Utilitarian punishment is disrespectful and
  manipulative.
• Treat people as they deserve to be treated.
• Treat people in concert with how they themselves
  have willed.
• Punish people proportionately to their crimes.

31

• Why punish?
• Forward-looking justification
• Backward-looking justification