What action would violate Kant's principle of humanity?
A. Paying someone to do work for you
B. Negotiating mutually beneficial agreements with others
C. Inflicting harm on another individual
D. Helping someone in need out of genuine compassion
Answer (2)
The action that would violate Kant's principle of humanity is option C, inflicting harm on another individual. This is because it disregards the person's dignity and treats them merely as a means to an end. Kant emphasizes that we should always treat individuals as ends in themselves.
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Kant's principle of humanity is a key concept in Immanuel Kant's moral philosophy, which emphasizes the intrinsic worth and dignity of human beings. According to this principle, also known as the 'Formula of Humanity,' individuals must treat humanity, whether in themselves or in others, always as an end and never merely as a means to an end. This means that people should not be used solely for the benefit of others without considering their inherent worth as individuals.
Let's evaluate each option in terms of Kant's principle:
(A) Paying someone to do work for you: This action doesn't necessarily violate Kant's principle, provided that the transaction respects the dignity of the worker and is based on mutual agreement and fair compensation. Here, the worker is not merely a means to an end but a participant in a mutual exchange.
(B) Negotiating mutually beneficial agreements with others: This action aligns with Kant's principle as it involves respectful and consensual interactions where all parties benefit and are treated with dignity.
(C) Inflicting harm on another individual: This action would violate Kant's principle of humanity. When you inflict harm, you disregard the intrinsic value of the individual and treat them as a means to achieve a goal (e.g., causing pain or suffering).
(D) Helping someone in need out of genuine compassion: This action does not violate Kant's principle. Helping someone out of compassion respects their dignity and acknowledges their inherent value as a human being.
Therefore, the correct answer is option (C) Inflicting harm on another individual, as this would violate Kant's principle of humanity by treating a person merely as a means rather than respecting their intrinsic worth.
