Final answer:
According to Kant's Categorical Imperative, we must treat every individual as an end in themselves, emphasizing that all people have inherent value and should be treated with respect and dignity. This philosophical view forms part of his deontological ethics, advocating for universalizability and respect for human dignity as the cornerstones of moral actions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Part of Kant's understanding of the Categorical Imperative is that we must treat every individual as an end in themselves. Immanuel Kant's philosophy centers on the principle that human dignity must be respected and that individuals should never be used merely as a means to an end. According to Kant's Categorical Imperative, our actions are only morally right if they can be universalized without contradiction. Hence, every person has inherent value and must be treated with the same respect and dignity we would all universally require. One of Kant's clear dictums elaborated in the Categorical Imperative is: "Act only according to that maxim whereby you can, at the same time, will that it should become a universal law". This applies to how we treat others, ensuring that our actions, if made into universal laws, would lead to a just and fair society. The humanity formulation of Kant's theory also emphasizes treating others as ends in themselves, highlighting the intrinsic worth of every individual.
In practical terms, this means that actions such as lying to gain an advantage, such as falsely claiming a student discount, are immoral because they fail to respect the intrinsic value of the person being deceived. Simply put, Kantian ethics places the respect for humanity and rational agents above all utilitarian considerations.