Final answer:
Kant's argument for the worthiness of respect for every person is based on the capacity for rationality and autonomy, not the principle of self-ownership, which is a mischaracterization of his philosophy. The correct option is b. false
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that Kant argued that every person is worthy of respect, based upon the principle of self-ownership, is false.
Although Kant emphasized the inherent worth and dignity of persons, this was rooted in his view of humans as rational beings with the capacity for autonomy and moral decision-making, not on the principle of self-ownership.
Kant's ethical philosophy is particularly concerned with the treatment of individuals as ends in themselves and never merely as a means to an end, meaning that all individuals possess intrinsic value regardless of their utility or functionality to others.
This concept is crucial in discussions of human rights and the ethics of actions, including the respect and dignity owed to human research subjects.
For Kant, the idea of self-ownership is less central than the idea that rational beings are capable of moral agency and therefore have dignity.
This perspective places Kant's theory apart from other philosophical views, such as those proposed by John Locke, who include self-ownership in his theories concerning natural rights and property.
Instead, Kant's principle of humanity posits that every person should be treated as an autonomous individual, capable of making their own decisions and deserving of respect, without being instrumentalized for any external ends. The correct option is b. false