Final answer:
Kant believed that all humans should always be treated as ends in themselves and not as means to an end. This reflects his ethical belief in the intrinsic worth of each person and is a central aspect of his philosophy, especially regarding the ethics of human research subjects.
Step-by-step explanation:
Immanuel Kant, the Enlightenment philosopher, postulated that humans should never be treated merely as a means to an end, but always as ends themselves. This principle is a cornerstone of his ethical theory, asserting that every individual has intrinsic worth and must be treated with respect that this inherent dignity commands. In his hypothetical Kingdom of Ends, all individuals act as both legislators and subjects in a society where they respect each other as ends in themselves, not merely as tools to achieve personal goals.
Human research subjects, for instance, must be treated with this principle in mind. Kant believed that people have inherent worth, independent of their utility, and that they must make informed, voluntary decisions to participate in any research. Research ethics, influenced by Kant's philosophy, mandates the recognition and protection of the autonomy, choices, and rights of study participants.
Kant's moral framework rests on the formulation of categorical imperatives, which are universal maxims derived from our rational capacities. One such imperative requires us to treat humans as ends in themselves, reflecting Kant's view on the value of good will and moral duties over outcomes or utility.