  Absolute Rules vs. Human Dignity
|
  Kant says:
|
  Only act in ways that you would find acceptable as universal moral laws.
|
  You want to treat people as if they are to be done /for/, not /with/. In other words, don't use people. They are an end, not a means only. What does this mean?
|
  Generally, we need to take into account other people. We need to try to promote their welfare, respect their rights, avoid harming them, and try to promote their interests.
|
  We also need to respect their rationality. Most of the time, we interact with people in manipulative ways.
|
  Why are people so important?
|
  People have desires and goals.
|
  We are rational; we can reason. (Without rational beings, questions of morality disappear.)
|
  Justifications for punishment (Utilitarian)
|
  Deterrent
|
  Rehabilitation
|
  Kant's Justifications
|
  Retributive - because they've broken the law
|
  Equal in measure to the crime
|
  Two reasons for punishment:
|
  Justice (eye for an eye)
|
  Respect criminal as a person when we punish instead of trying to change.
|
  As a rational person, I tell you how to treat me by my own actions.
|
  If I don't treat you as a rational person
|
  I'm treating you as an incompetent.
|