Final answer:
Kant's second maxim implies that people should always be treated with inherent worth and dignity, valuing them as ends in themselves, rather than as mere instruments for achieving one's goals. This extends to all interactions, including ethical considerations in research, where respect for participant autonomy and rights is paramount.
Step-by-step explanation:
The second maxim in Kant's duty ethics implies that one should never treat people merely as a means to an end, but rather as ends in themselves. This principle emphasizes the inherent worth of humanity and stipulates that everyone should be treated as a valuable and rational being, worthy of respect and dignity. In the context of research, this means that participants must be able to make an informed and free decision to partake in a study, with their rights and autonomy fully acknowledged and maintained.
Immanuel Kant, through his Enlightenment philosophy, argued that rationality bestows upon humans a unique dignity that demands moral action. This is encapsulated in his concept of the 'Kingdom of Ends', a hypothetical domain where all individuals are treated ethically and justly. Kant's view of moral actions, as determined by the categorical imperative, is deeply rooted in this understanding of respect for human beings. As rational agents, humans can act morally by following universal maxims that affirm this respect.
Therefore, Kant's principle asks us to reflect on our actions and their implications on others' capacity to make rational decisions. When we act, we should do so with consideration for other people's inherent value, and not solely for our own or others' convenience or goals.