Dignity, or Prize in the Kingdom of Ends - Essay Example

In this statement above, Kant mentions that morality which is attributed as a universal requirement for every person in the society has a price, a price which is placed on virtue or vice. In this sense, morality can have a price if it is inclined to a good thing or a bad thing.

The price of a bad thing or vice is tantamount to sin according to the laws of God. And the price of sin is an eternal life in hell with Satan. On the other hand, a good thing or a virtue is rewarded by a promise of a happy afterlife. This is associated with life in heaven with God where the price is happiness and joy in eternal life. Therefore the human person in his nature can choose to do whatever he or she likes. This can be in the form of something that is not considered of ethical standards or one that is justified as being good.

However, in the kingdom of ends, the virtuous side is only considered by Kant where the moral nature of man is at play. This moral aspect is the one that provides the creation of universal law, a law that everyone is supposed to be conversant with and obey its directions. In another aspect, however, morality is correlated to dignity. Dignity as it is known is the term that means an ethical inclination of a person where he or she accords respect to others and also accorded respect in return. Hence, dignity is something that has no direct price because it is inwardly developed in someone.

Due to this inward development of dignity, it does not have an equivalent of it because it is unique in each and every human. Thus the moral value of dignity can not be measured in terms of price as it is not visible for one to measure. The level of dignity that is given to somebody is probably the only measure that can be used to determine morality. In this sense, Kant mentions, "For when moral value is being considered, the concern is not with the actions, which are seen, but rather with the inner principles, which are not seen.

" (Kant 19)Human nature which is exhibited in dignity is correlated to an art in the kingdom of ends. An art or talent is something that is God-given. This means that it can not be created by the human being but only by the supernatural being God. Because of this, it can not be tagged a price that can be purchased by anyone. Just like one can not buy another human being, dignity can not be bought. It is something non-tangible. Art can be something that can be fostered in someone through learning and continuous practice.

One can involve him or herself in continuous practice that with time perfects this ability in a specific field. Likewise, dignity can be practiced so that one can gain a high level of respect from others. However, in the Kingdom of ends, it can only be practiced by obeying and constantly following the universal law.