Final answer:
Immanuel Kant's categorical imperative emphasizes treating individuals as ends in themselves and not merely as means, focusing on the intention and universal applicability of our actions rather than their consequences or public perception.
Step-by-step explanation:
The second formulation of Immanuel Kant's categorical imperative commands that we should treat people as an end in themselves and never as a means only. This principle is a cornerstone of Kant's ethical theory and stands in contrast to the utilitarian principle, which focuses on the consequences of one's actions and whether they produce happiness. It also diverges from the idea of considering how one would feel if their actions were publicly known, which relates more to a person's reputation than to moral law. The fundamental nature of the imperative is rooted in the belief that all rational beings deserve respect and must not be used merely as tools for achieving another individual's goals.
The categorical imperative is more about the intention behind an action rather than its outcomes. The moral value of an act is determined by whether the rule motivating it could be applied universally—this is known as the principle of universalizability. Hence, we are to act according to the maxims that we would wish all other rational beings to follow, as if these rules were universal laws. This idea is what differentiates the categorical imperative from the golden rule, as it places the emphasis not on personal desires or outcomes but on duty and the consistency of moral laws.