Every individual has to follow a certain set of rules throughout their life. For example, I have to study to graduate, and I must follow traffic regulations. In this sense, my life and some of my actions might be driven by specific guidelines irrespective of my desires and inclinations. Such viewpoints are usually referred to as Categorical and Hypothetical Imperatives introduced by philosopher Kant, wherein the former implies rules that must be followed and the latter implies actions that might be taken to achieve the end goal (Wilburn, 2022). In this sense, rules of etiquette can be considered hypothetical imperatives since an individual is not obliged to follow these rules, yet to achieve respect for the people around, such hypothetical imperatives are essential.
However, there is more to philosophical thought of Kant. For example, Immanuel Kant pondered on moral duties, which stated that lying and deceiving are immoral (Wilburn, 2022). However, Kant believed that one should fight evil to protect others from harm. This way, in the situation with the SS officer, Kant would not tell the truth about hiding the Jewish people to fight the malicious intents of the Nazi man.
As for my personal experience, I have never treated anyone solely as a means to an end. However, I treated them both as a means and as an end while showing respect. For example, I treated cashiers, taxi drivers, and waiters as a means and as an end since I utilized their services while respecting them as agents. Such principles are expressed in Kantian CI-1 and CI-2 tests. Capital punishment would serve the CI-2 test since the loss of one life will contribute to the saving of numerous lives. Similarly, prostitution is related to the CI-2 since it uses a body as a means to an end, which can be considered by Kant as morally impermissible.
Moreover, Kant’s theory can be placed to respect people’s rights. According to Kant, everybody deserves to have rights, regardless of gender, age, or race, and such rights must be respected since they are the rule of morality (Wilburn, 2022). However, Kant believed that since animals are not like humans, people can treat them as they like. Still, I think such actions can lead to malicious actions, which Kant would oppose. Lastly, intuitions must have a minimal role in assessing moral theories because intuitions are subjective and can be easily influenced by individual principles.
Reference
Wilburn, H. (2022). Philosophical thought (4th ed.). Tulsa Community College.