On the dignity of man in kant

Abstract

The contribution starts with the observation that Kant mentioned Human Dignity in his main works with great variety in emphasis. In the Grundlegung from 1785 we find a significant treatment and again in the Tugendlehre from 1798 but none in the Kritik der Praktischen Vernunft from 1788 and in the Rechtslehre from 1797. This needs an explanation. In the Grundlegung human dignity is not attached to the second formula of the categorical imperative, the formula of self-purposefulness, as it is often assumed, but to the third formula of a kingdom of ends. It is there explained as self-legislation. This placement needs also an explanation, which is attempted by the article. In the Tugendlehre human dignity is then explained as self-purposefulness. So Kant changed his understanding of human dignity from the Grundlegung to the Tugendlehre. But the question is: why?