Research On Kant's "Man Is The Purpose" Moral Thesis

Kant's moral philosophy focuses on how human ethics can be.The aim is to provide a solid foundation for morality.He regards the categorical imperative as the supreme practical principle,which judges the motive and moral worth of actions.As the core idea of his moral philosophy,Kant describes it as the Formula of Universal Law,and then he puts forward the Formula of Humanity as the version from the point of end,giving a material description to the moral law,which is briefly called "Humanity as an End in Itself'.This proposition plays an important role in Kant's moral philosophy,and can serve as a common moral consensus in contemporary society.Due to its theoretical and practical value,many interpretations have been raised in today's academic circles,represented by Christine M.Korsgaard.This thesis studies on Kant's moral proposition of "Humanity as an End in Itself ' through some research methods.Based on the analysis of Kant's theory and the standard interpretation of it,the thesis draws a conclusion:reconstructing the derivation of the Formula of Humanity should explain how its validity could be realized by bounded rationality,and that is,giving full play to the advanced practical capacity,which could be illustrated by Kant's three principles of thinking.This also gives an important guarantee for the practical effectiveness of the proposition.The main contents are divided into three chapters:The first chapter studies the theoretical connotation and derivation of Kant's Formula of Humanity.Kant starts his argument from the common rational cognition as a popular moral principle,then to the Formula of Universal Law as the categorical imperative and priori formal principle in the field of metaphysics of morals.On this basis,he puts forward the Formula of Humanity as a material version.This derived formula commands that we must preserve and promote our humanity,and defend the dignity of all people.The second chapter examines Korsgaard's "regress argument" as a standard interpretation of the proposition.In this chapter,I explain the basic process and main content of the argument,and then point out its inadequacies:on the structure,the regress condition is inconsistent;on the premise,conferring value leads to the absolute subjectivity of value;on the conclusion,how to realize the validity of the Formula of Humanity is not explained.Based on the conclusion of"regress argument",I propose a supplement that reconstructing the derivation of the Formula of Humanity should explain how its validity could be realized by bounded rationality,and that is,giving full play to the advanced practical capacity,in order to make a rational use of reason.Furthermore,the condition can be illustrated by Kant's three principles of thinking.I also think this supplement should be an important guarantee for the practical effectiveness of the proposition of "Humanity as an End in Itself".The third chapter then discusses the practical effectiveness of the proposition.According to the conclusion on the validity of the Formula of Humanity in chapter two,I propose that the key to the practical effectiveness of the proposition is that we should determine whether a certain behavior and its maxim could represent the respect for humanity.This begins from two aspects.On the one hand,we should cultivate our advanced practical capacity through moral education,especially autonomy education and empathy education;meanwhile,ensure that the moral education shall be continuous and systemic.On the other hand,we should pay attention to the characteristics of moral situations in contemporary society.Under the supreme condition of respecting humanity,we should make full consideration of the need of the times,as well as the specific historical and cultural background.Through above two modes,we could build a new era moral concept of putting people first,and give full play to the practical effectiveness of the proposition of "Humanity as an End in Itself'.This thesis focuses on the proposition of "Humanity as an End in Itself'.On the basis of the review and reflection on the standard interpretation of the proposition,it analyzes the theme connotation,reconstructs the derivation and clarifies misunderstandings,in order to solve the dilemmas such as interpreting without real understanding or out of context.Furthermore,it discusses how to give full play to the practical effectiveness of the proposition in contemporary moral life,then proposes that we should optimize the moral education and pay attention to the moral appeals of the times,so that we can follow the proposition to judge moral worth of actions reasonably and guide social moral activities,thus providing an idea for the ideological and moral construction in new era.