The ONE RULE for LIFE - Immanuel Kant's Moral Philosophy - Mark Manson

Summary

The video script explores the life and moral philosophy of Immanuel Kant, a highly influential yet rigidly routine-driven thinker. Despite his monotonous daily regimen, Kant's ideas on ethics, such as the categorical imperative, have had a profound impact on modern society. The script delves into Kant's belief in treating humanity as an end rather than a means, and how this principle applies to various aspects of life, including laziness, addiction, people-pleasing, and bigotry. It also touches on Kant's views on self-improvement, self-respect, and the development of character, emphasizing the importance of purpose over action in leading a moral and fulfilling life.

Takeaways

• 🕒 Kant's Routine: Emanuel Kant was known for his strict daily routine, waking up at 5:00 a.m., writing for 3 hours, lecturing for 4, and maintaining regular meal and walk schedules.
• 📚 Life in Konigsberg: Despite the world being accessible, Kant spent his entire life in Konigsberg, Prussia, never venturing out, yet his ideas had a profound impact globally.
• 🌟 Influential Thinker: Kant is considered one of the most influential thinkers in modern history, contributing significantly to philosophy, ethics, and the concept of individual rights.
• 🌱 Ethical Principles: Kant's moral philosophy is based on the idea that actions must be universalizable, meaning they should be right or wrong in all situations for all people.
• 🔄 Categorical Imperative: Kant's concept of the 'categorical imperative' suggests that ethical principles should be universal laws applicable to every human being in every situation.
• 💡 The Formulation of Humanity: Kant's key ethical rule is to 'act in such a way that you treat humanity, in your own person or in the person of any other, always at the same time as an end and never merely as a means.'
• 🧠 The Value of Rationality: Kant believed that rationality and the ability to make conscious decisions are what distinguish humans from the rest of the universe, making it crucial to base moral reasoning on the protection of this capacity.
• 🔄 Ethical Implications: Kant's rule has wide-ranging implications, affecting how we view laziness, addiction, people-pleasing, manipulation, and bigotry, all through the lens of treating humanity as an end in itself.
• 🌐 Global Vision: Kant envisioned a global governing body to ensure peace and was against racism and colonialism, advocating for the fundamental dignity and rights of all races and nations.
• 🔑 Duty of Self-Improvement: Kant emphasized that the best way to improve the world is through self-improvement, adhering to the categorical imperative, and considering this a moral duty.
• 💖 Self-Respect as an Ethical Duty: Kant argued that self-respect and self-love are not just personal virtues but ethical duties, as the way we treat ourselves sets the standard for how we treat others.

Q & A

What was Emanuel Kant's daily routine like?

Emanuel Kant had a very structured daily routine. He woke up every morning at 5:00 a.m., wrote for exactly 3 hours, lectured at the same university for exactly 4 hours, had lunch at the same restaurant each day, went on an extended walk through the same park on the same route, and returned home at the same time every day. He also had dinner with the same friend every evening and went to bed at exactly 10 p.m.

Why is Kant considered an important and influential thinker?

Kant is considered an important and influential thinker because he made significant contributions to various fields of philosophy. He was instrumental in envisioning a global governing body to ensure peace, inspired Einstein's discovery of Relativity with his concept of SpaceTime, introduced the idea that animals could have rights, invented the philosophy of Aesthetics, and resolved a 200-year philosophical debate. His moral philosophy, in particular, has had a lasting impact and is still discussed and debated in universities today.

What does Kant's concept of the 'categorical imperative' entail?

Kant's concept of the 'categorical imperative' refers to universal ethical principles that are valid in all contexts and applicable to every human being. These principles are considered absolute rules to live by, and they dictate that something is either always right or always wrong, regardless of the situation.

How does Kant's moral philosophy apply to our daily lives?

Kant's moral philosophy applies to our daily lives by influencing our values, decisions, actions, and beliefs. It emphasizes the importance of treating people as ends in themselves, not merely as means to achieve other ends. This principle can guide how we interact with others, make decisions, and conduct ourselves ethically.

What is the significance of Kant's statement 'Act in such a way that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other, always at the same time as an end and never merely as a means'?

This statement encapsulates Kant's moral philosophy, emphasizing the inherent worth and dignity of every individual. It suggests that we should always consider the impact of our actions on others and ourselves, ensuring that we do not exploit or manipulate others for personal gain. It calls for respect for human autonomy and the conscious exercise of rationality.

How does Kant's philosophy view laziness?

According to Kant, laziness is not just a personal failing but also an ethical issue. He believed that we have a moral imperative to do the best that we can at all times. Being lazy, in this sense, means treating ourselves as a means to short-term pleasure rather than maximizing our potential and treating ourselves as ends in ourselves.

What is Kant's stance on addiction and why is it considered unethical?

Kant viewed addiction as unethical because it involves using one's rational mind and freedom as a means to an end, which in this case is the temporary escape from reality. He believed in facing one's problems and argued that suffering can sometimes be necessary in life. Addiction, therefore, is seen as a failure to confront the reality of one's own mind and consciousness.

How does Kant's philosophy relate to the concept of consent in relationships?

Kant's philosophy emphasizes the importance of fully informed consent in all interactions, especially in relationships. He believed that consent demonstrates respect for the fundamental dignity of all conscious creatures. Any action that does not lead towards mutual consent is considered disrespectful and unethical.

What is the 'Michael Jackson Maxim' as mentioned in the script, and how does it relate to Kant's philosophy?

The 'Michael Jackson Maxim' is a term used in the script to describe Kant's belief that the best way to improve the world is to start with improving oneself. It suggests that self-improvement, particularly in adhering to the categorical imperative, is a duty and an obligation that can lead to a better life for oneself and others.

How did Kant's personal life and habits influence his philosophy?

Kant's personal life and habits, characterized by a strict routine and discipline, reflect his philosophical beliefs in the importance of rationality, self-control, and the maximization of one's potential. His transformation from a party-goer to a disciplined thinker at the age of 40 illustrates his commitment to developing character and living a life designed around ethical principles.

What is the connection between self-respect and ethics in Kant's philosophy?

In Kant's philosophy, self-respect is not just about personal feelings but is fundamentally linked to ethics. He argued that recognizing our own value and the inherent dignity of every human being is essential. Lying to ourselves, harming ourselves, and treating ourselves as means rather than ends are considered unethical acts, just as they are when done to others.

Outlines

00:00

🕒 Routine and Productivity of Immanuel Kant

Immanuel Kant was a philosopher with an extremely disciplined daily routine, waking up at 5:00 a.m. and maintaining a strict schedule of writing, teaching, dining, and walking. Despite his monotonous lifestyle, Kant made significant contributions to various fields such as ethics, philosophy of aesthetics, and moral philosophy. His ideas have had a lasting impact on democratic societies and the concept of individual rights. Kant's moral philosophy, particularly his concept of the 'categorical imperative,' emphasizes universal ethical principles that apply to all humans in every situation.

05:00

🧠 Kant's Categorical Imperative and the Value of Rationality

Kant's moral philosophy is centered around the concept of rationality, which he considered the defining characteristic of humanity. He argued that each person should be treated as an end in themselves and never merely as a means to an end. This principle, known as the 'categorical imperative,' is a universal ethical rule that applies to all situations. Kant believed that rational consciousness is sacred and that protecting it is the foundation of all moral reasoning. He extended this principle to various aspects of life, including laziness, addiction, and the pursuit of happiness, asserting that self-respect and self-improvement are ethical duties.

10:03

🤔 Ethical Implications of Kant's Philosophy

Kant's philosophy has profound implications for understanding ethics in everyday life. His categorical imperative can be applied to evaluate actions such as lying, cheating, violence, laziness, addiction, and people-pleasing, revealing that treating others (or oneself) as a means to an end is unethical. Kant also addressed issues like consent in relationships, the ethics of capitalism and wealth inequality, and the moral responsibility of the wealthy to redistribute their resources. His views on bigotry and colonialism were progressive for his time, advocating for the inherent dignity and rights of all races and nations.

15:04

🌐 Kant's Vision for a Better World

Kant believed that the best way to improve the world was through self-improvement, arguing that individuals should develop their ability to adhere to the categorical imperative. He saw this as a duty and an obligation for everyone, with the potential to create a ripple effect of positive change. Kant also emphasized the importance of self-respect, arguing that how we treat ourselves is a reflection of how we treat others. His philosophy suggests that cultivating self-love and self-care are not just personal choices but ethical responsibilities.

20:10

🎯 The Transformational Power of Kant's Ideas

The narrative concludes with a personal account of how Kant's philosophy had a transformative effect on the author's life. It highlights the shift from pursuing practical and transactional goals to understanding the moral purpose behind actions. The author shares a realization that aligning one's actions with Kant's categorical imperative can lead to a more meaningful and ethical life. The excerpt also mentions Mark Manson's book 'Everything is F*cked' and his YouTube channel, suggesting further exploration of these themes.

Keywords

💡Emanuel Kant

Emanuel Kant was an 18th-century German philosopher who is a central figure in modern philosophy. His work has influenced various fields such as epistemology, ethics, aesthetics, and education. In the video, Kant is portrayed as a highly disciplined individual with a strict daily routine, which highlights his dedication to intellectual pursuits and his emphasis on the importance of rationality and moral philosophy.

💡Productivity Hacker

A productivity hacker refers to someone who employs various strategies and techniques to optimize their efficiency and effectiveness in completing tasks. In the context of the video, the term is used to contrast Kant's highly structured and disciplined lifestyle with the modern concept of hacking one's productivity to achieve more with less effort.

💡Categorical Imperative

The categorical imperative is a central concept in Kant's moral philosophy. It is a principle that Kant believed should govern all moral actions, stating that one should act only according to that maxim by which they can at the same time will that it should become a universal law. The video discusses Kant's formulation of the categorical imperative as a key element of his ethical system.

💡Rationality

Rationality, in the context of the video, refers to the ability to think, reason, and make decisions in a logical and conscious manner. Kant believed that rationality is what distinguishes humans from other beings and is a sacred attribute that should be respected and protected. The video emphasizes the importance of rationality as the foundation of Kant's moral philosophy.

💡Moral Philosophy

Moral philosophy, also known as ethics, is a branch of philosophy that contemplates what is right and wrong, exploring the concepts of morality and values. In the video, moral philosophy is presented as a critical field of study that influences our decisions, actions, and beliefs, with Kant's contributions being particularly highlighted.

💡Universal

In the script, the term 'universal' is used to describe the nature of ethical principles according to Kant. He believed that for an action to be morally good, it must be universally applicable, meaning it should be right in all situations and for all people. This concept is integral to understanding Kant's categorical imperative.

💡Ends and Means

The concept of 'ends and means' is a fundamental aspect of Kant's ethical theory. Ends are the goals or outcomes that are desired for their own sake, while means are the actions taken to achieve those ends. Kant argued that individuals should never be used merely as a means to an end, but should always be treated as ends in themselves. This principle is discussed in the video as a core element of Kant's moral philosophy.

💡Self-Improvement

Self-improvement, as discussed in the video, refers to the process of bettering oneself, often through personal development, learning, and moral growth. Kant believed that individuals have a duty to improve themselves, particularly in adhering to the categorical imperative. The video suggests that self-improvement is not just a personal pursuit but also a moral obligation.

💡Consent

Consent, in the context of Kant's philosophy as presented in the video, is about the importance of fully informed and explicit agreement between individuals. Kant believed that consent is a demonstration of respect for another's autonomy and rationality. The video connects this concept to modern issues, such as in sexual relationships and marketing practices, emphasizing its ethical significance.

💡Duty

Duty, in Kantian ethics, refers to moral obligations that individuals have, regardless of their personal desires or the consequences of their actions. The video mentions the duty of self-improvement and self-respect as examples of moral duties that stem from Kant's philosophy. These duties are seen as essential for leading a moral life and contributing to a better society.

💡Character

Character, in the video, is discussed as a developed set of moral qualities and principles that guide an individual's actions. Kant believed that developing character, or a life designed around maximizing one's potential, is a moral imperative. The video suggests that character is built through adherence to moral principles and contributes to personal and societal well-being.

Highlights

Emanuel Kant's daily routine of waking up at 5:00 a.m., writing for 3 hours, and maintaining a strict schedule contributed to his productivity and philosophical contributions.

Kant's life was spent entirely in Königsberg, Prussia, demonstrating an extreme level of consistency and routine.

Kant's ideas on ethics, particularly the 'categorical imperative,' continue to be influential and debated in modern universities.

Kant's moral philosophy posits that for an action to be good, it must be universalizable, meaning it should be right or wrong in all situations.

The 'categorical imperative' is a universal ethical principle that dictates morality for every human being, regardless of context.

Kant's formulation of the categorical imperative: 'Act in such a way that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other, always at the same time as an end and never merely as a means.'

Kant believed that rationality is sacred and the basis for all moral reasoning, emphasizing the importance of conscious choice and decision-making.

Kant's rule can be restated as: each person must never be treated only as a means to some other end but also be treated as an end themselves.

Kant's moral philosophy views actions such as lying, cheating, and violence as unethical because they involve treating people as means to an end.

Laziness, according to Kant, is unethical because it involves using one's consciousness as a means to achieve short-term pleasure rather than maximizing its potential.

Kant was against addiction and escapism, viewing them as unethical because they misuse rational mind and freedom as a means to other ends.

People-pleasing and seeking approval are considered unethical by Kant, as they involve treating oneself and others as means to achieve social validation.

Kant emphasized the importance of fully informed consent in interactions, viewing manipulation or coercion as unethical.

Kant's philosophy rejects bigotry and racism, advocating for the inherent dignity and rights of all rational beings, regardless of race.

Kant believed in the duty of self-improvement, arguing that the best way to improve the world is through personal development and adherence to the categorical imperative.

Kant's philosophy suggests that self-respect and self-love are ethical duties, as the way we treat ourselves sets the standard for how we treat others.

Kant's life transformation at the age of 40 reflects his belief in the moral implications of actions and the importance of developing character to maximize one's potential.

The excerpt is from the New York Times bestseller 'Everything is F*cked' by Mark Manson, which explores hope and philosophy.

Transcripts

[Music] depending on your perspective Emanuel Kant  was either the most boring person on the planet  

or a productivity Hacker's wet dream for over 40  years he woke up every morning at 5:00 a.m. and  

wrote for exactly 3 hours he would then lecture  at the same University for exactly 4 hours he  

followed that up with lunch at the same restaurant  each day then in the afternoon he would go on an  

extended walk through the same park on the same  route leaving and returning home at the exact same  

time every day K spent his entire life in kbur  Prussia I mean that literally he never left the  

city despite the ca being an hour away he never  saw it Kant was efficiency personified he was so  

mechanical on his habits that his neighbors joke  that they could tune their clocks based on when he  

left his apartment each day he would would leave  for his daily walk at 3:30 p.m. have dinner with  

the same friend every evening and return home to  finish work and go to bed at exactly 10 p.m. it's  

easy for us to scoff at a guy like this what a  loser seriously get a life dude but K was one  

of the most important and influential thinkers  in modern history he did more to steer the world  

from his single room apartment in Prussia than  most Kings and armies ever did before or since  

if you're living in a Democratic Society that  protects indiv idual rights you have can't to  

partially thank for that he was the first person  to ever Envision a global governing body that  

would guarantee peace across much of the world he  prescribed SpaceTime in such a way that it later  

inspired Einstein's discovery of Relativity  he came up with the idea that animals could  

potentially have rights themselves he invented the  philosophy of Aesthetics and beauty and resolved  

a 200-year philosophical debate in the span  of a couple hundred Pages he reinvented moral  

Philosophy from top to bottom over throwing ideas  that had been the basis of Western Civilization  

since Aristotle Kant was an intellectual badass  if brains had balls K would have been made out  

of steel his ideas particularly about ethics  are still discussed and debated in thousands of  

universities today and that's what I want to talk  about K's moral philosophy and why it matters now  

you might be saying really moral philosophy who  cares man show me a shiny Sunset inspirational  

quote or a cat meme well that right there is  moral philosophy anytime you say who cares or  

what's the big deal you're essentially questioning  the value of something is it worth your time and  

attention is it better or worse than something  else these are all questions of value and they  

all fall under the umbrella of moral philosophy  our moral philosophy determines what we value what  

we care about and what we don't care about and our  values determine our decisions actions and beliefs  

therefore moral philosophy applies to everything  in our lives got it kant's moral philosophy is  

unique and counterintuitive can't believe that  for something to be good it had to be Universal  

that is it can't be right to do something in one  situation and wrong to do it in another if lying  

is wrong it has to be wrong all the time it has to  be wrong when everyone does it period if it isn't  

always right or always wrong then it cannot be a  valid ethical principle Kant these universalized  

ethical principles categorical imperatives rules  to live by that are valid in all contexts in every  

situation to every human being well holy [ __ ]  universal laws that dictate all morality for every  

human being sure you want fries with that it's  so impossible it sounds ludicrous but Kant made  

a hell of an attempt in fact he made a number of  attempts at creating categorical imperatives some  

of those attempts were quickly ripped the shreds  by other philosophers but others have actually  

held up the test of time to some degree one of  them in particular has kind of stuck and in all  

of my years reading and studying philosophy  psychology and other Sciences it is one of  

the most powerful statements that I've ever come  across its implications reach into every part of  

each person's life in a single sentence it sums  up the bulk of all of our ethical intuitions and  

assumptions and in each situation it points to a  clear direction of how we should be acting and why  

okay enough foreplay here's kant's rule act that  you use Humanity whether in your own person or in  

a person of any other always at the same time as  an end and never merely as a means okay what the  

actual [ __ ] let's back up for a second can't  believe that rationality was sacred when I say  

rationality I don't mean like Sudoku or chess  Grandmaster rationality I mean rationality as  

the fact that we are the only known creatures in  the universe that are able to make the decisions  

weigh options and consider the moral implications  of each and every action basically Consciousness  

to the only thing that distinguishes us from the  rest of the universe is our ability to process  

information and act consciously in the world and  this to him is special it's exceedingly special  

for all we know we are the only shot the universe  has at intelligent self organization therefore  

we need to take it seriously and therefore  rationality and protecting conscious Choice  

must be the basis for all of our moral reasoning  Kant wrote that quote without rationality the  

universe would be a waste in vain and without  purpose to K's mind without intelligence and the  

freedom to exercise that intelligence we might  as well just be a bunch of rocks nothing would  

matter therefore Kant believed that all morality  is derived from the protection and promotion of  

rational Consciousness in each individual so how  do you do that well cons rule above let's restate  

State con rule in a more modern language to make  it more easily digestible quote each person must  

never be treated only as a means to some other  end but also be treated as an end themselves  

okay let's say I'm hungry and I want a burrito I  get in the car and I drive to Chipotle and I order  

my usual double meat monster that makes me oh so  happy on a weekly basis in this situation eating  

the burrito is my end goal it's ultimately why I'm  doing everything else getting in the car driving  

buying gas and so on all these things I do to get  the burrito are the means I.E the things that I  

must do in order to achieve my end if you call a  friend to find out how they're doing calling them  

is a means finding out how they're doing is your  end if you leave a party early so you can wake  

up in the morning leaving the party is the means  and waking up early is your end means are things  

that we do conditionally I don't want to get in  my car and drive but I want a burrito therefore  

driving is the means to my burrito end an end is  something that is desired for its own sake it is  

the defining motivating factor of our decisions  and behaviors if I wanted to eat a burrito only  

because my wife wanted a burrito and I wanted  to make her happy then the burrito is no longer  

my end it is now a means to an even greater  end making my wife happy and if I only wanted  

to make my wife happy so I could hopefully get  laid tonight now my wife's happiness is a means  

to a greater end of sex likely that last example  made you squirm a little bit and think I'm kind  

of a dirt bag and that's exactly what Kant is  talking about his argument hell his rule states  

that treating any human being as a means to some  other end is the basis of all unethical Behavior  

so treating a burrito as a means to my wife's  end is fine after all as far as I know burritos  

don't have rational Consciousness but if I treat  my wife as a means to the end of sex now I am  

treating her as a means and Kant would argue that  that is some shade of wrong let's give K's Rule  

The Common Sense check lying is wrong because  you are misleading another person's conscious  

behavior in order to achieve your own goal you  are therefore treating that person as a means  

to your own end therefore lying is unethical  cheating is unethical for a similar reason you  

are violating the expectations of other rational  and sentient beings for your own personal aims  

you are treating the rules and expectations  agreed to with others as a means to your own  

personal end that is wrong violence same deal  you were treating another person as a means to  

some greater political or personal end bad very  bad cons formulation checks all the boxes that  

we would expect from a theory of morality but it  goes Way Way Beyond Common Sense Morality In fact  

I will try to argue that K rule plausibly extends  to pretty much everything that we value is right  

and good today check it out the moral implications  of K's rule the list below is incomplete some of  

the items K explicitly wrote about but others are  extrapolations that I've taken from his work and  

applied to my own values my hope is that by the  end of it you will see the incredible flexibility  

of the single moral maximum to extend almost all  areas of human life example one laziness okay I  

can be as lazy is the next Guy full disclosure  and I often feel guilty about it but we all know  

that [ __ ] off in the short term inevitably harms  Us in the long term but for whatever reason this  

short-term gain versus long-term loss calculation  never seems to inspire or move us but that's not  

why Kant thinks it's wrong in fact Kant would say  that this is the wrong way to think about laziness  

it's insufficient comp believed that we all had a  moral imperative to do the best that we can at all  

times but he didn't say to do your best because of  self-esteem or personal utility or contributing to  

society or whatever he went even further than  that he argued you should do your best because  

anything less is to treat ourselves as a means  rather than an end yes you can treat yourself  

as a means as well you're sitting on the couch  refreshing Twitter for the 28th time and you're  

treating your mind and your attention as a mere  pleasure receptacle you are not maximizing the  

potential of your Consciousness in fact you are  using your Consciousness as a means to stimulate  

your emotional ends this is not only bad Kant  would argue but it's unethical you are actively  

harming yourself example two addiction Believe It  or Not Kant wasn't a total party pooper he enjoyed  

some wine with his lunch he smoked the pipe but  only at the same time each morning and only one  

bowl of tobacco Kant was not necessarily anti-un  what he was against though was pure escapism  

he wrote that using alcohol or other means of  escaping one's own life was unethical because  

it requires you to use your rational mind and  freedom as a means to some other end in this  

case getting [ __ ] up comp believed in facing  one's problems he believed that suffering is  

sometimes warranted and even necessary in life  we tend to judge the immorality of addiction by  

the damage it causes to others but Kant believed  that first overindulgence was fundamentally the  

act of being immoral to oneself the harm it  did to others was merely collateral damage it  

was a failure to confront the reality of one's  own mind and Consciousness and this failure is  

akin to lying to oneself or cheating oneself out  of precious life potential and to can't lying to  

yourself is just as unethical as lying to others  example three people pleasing and seeking approval  

okay I know it's not a good strategy to be kissing  people's asses all the time but unethical really  

isn't being really nice to people and making them  happy an ethical thing to do well not necessarily  

seeking approval in people pleasing forces you  to alter your actions and speech to no longer  

reflect what you actually think and feel so  right there you are already treating yourself  

as a means rather than an end but it gets worse  because if you alter your speech and behavior  

in order to make others like you then you are  also treating them as a means to your end you  

are altering and manipulating their perceptions  of you in order to Garner a pleasant response  

from them K would undoubtedly argue that this  is also unethical how dare you tell me my shirt  

looks good on me you ethical piece of [ __ ] I've  written that length about how people pleasing and  

seeking approval leads to toxic relationships  but again as usual Kant takes it even further  

because Kant was [ __ ] hardcore like that  example four manipulation or coercion even if  

you're not lying but you're communicating with an  attitude and a purpose of gaining something from  

someone without their full knowledge or explicit  consent then you are being unethical K was big on  

fully informed consent he believed it was the  only way for there to be healthy interactions  

between individuals it was Radical for his time  and it's something that people still struggle to  

accept today there are two areas in the modern  world where I think that consent issue is huge  

and K would have a lot to say about it the first  is obvious sex and dating under K's rule anything  

short of explicit fully informed and fully sober  consent is ethically out of bounds this is a hot  

button issue today and I personally think people  make it far more complicated than it needs to be  

it basically just means being respectful people  assume this means asking for permission 20 times  

on a date but it's not all you have to do is  State how you feel ask them how they feel and  

then respect whatever response comes back to  you that's it it's not complicated respect was  

also sacred within K's moral framework because  Kant believe that all conscious creatures have a  

fundamental dignity that must be respected at all  times and by everyone for Kant consent was the act  

of demonstrating respect anything that didn't lead  towards consent between two people was to some  

degree disrespectful I know that makes Kant sound  like an angry grandmother but the implications  

of the consent issue are far reaching and wide  touching every human relationship that we have  

the other modern area that is problematic is sales  and advertising pretty much every marketing tactic  

is built around treating people as a means to some  end that is making money in fact Kant struggled  

much of his life with the ethical implications of  capitalism and wealth inequality he believed that  

it was impossible for anyone to amass a fortune  without some degree of manipulation or coercion  

along the way therefore he was dubious of the  entire system he wasn't anti- capitalist per se  

and communism didn't exist yet but the Staggering  wealth inequality of his time did make him uneasy  

he believed Anyone Who Had Mass the fortune  had a moral imperative to give much of it  

away to the starving masses example five bigotry  might as well throw it in here especially since  

Enlightenment thinkers were Infamous for having  pretty racist views which were common in the time  

interestingly K despite saying some pretty awful  [ __ ] about race early in his career turned the  

intellectual corner and realized later in his life  that no race has any right to subjugate any other  

it makes sense after all racism and other forms  of bigotry are textbook cases of treating other  

people as means rather than ends Kant came to the  conclusion that if all rationality is sacred then  

there's nothing permitting European special  privileges over any other nations or races  

he also became vehemently anti-colonialist K  argued that regardless of race the violence  

and oppression required to subjugate populations  would destroy people's Humanity in the process  

it was the ultimate unethical institution this  was completely radical for the time radical to  

the point of being considered absurd by many  but Kant reasoned that the only way to prevent  

war and oppression was to form an international  government that organized and bound nation states  

together centuries later the United Nations would  largely be based on his vision example six the  

duty of self-improvement most philosophers of the  Enlightenment believed that the best way to live  

was to increase happiness as much as possible and  to reduce suffering as much as possible as well  

this approach to ethics is called utilitarianism  and is still the predominant view held by many  

thinkers today K had a completely different take  on how to go about improving the world let's call  

it the Michael Jackson Maxim because K like  Michael believed that if you want to make the  

world a better place take a look at yourself  and make that change but instead of grabbing  

his crotch comp made his argument with brutal  rationality and here's how he argued it comp  

believed that generally it is impossible to  know whether a person deserves to be happy or  

suffer because you can never truly know what their  intentions and aims were when they acted similarly  

even if you should make others happy there's no  way to precisely know how to make them happy you  

do not know their feelings values or expectations  you do not know the implications your actions will  

have on them on top of that what actually  constitutes suffering or happiness in most  

non-extreme situations is unclear your divorce  may cause you incredible pain today but in a year  

it might be the best thing that ever happened  to you you may relish the joy of a celebration  

with friends but maybe it's distracting you from  pursuing something that would prevent more future  

suffering therefore K argued the the only logical  way to improve the world is through improving  

ourselves this is because the only thing we can  truly experience with any certainty is ourselves  

K defined self-improvement is developing  the ability to adhere to the categorical  

imperative and he saw self-improvement as a duty  an undebatable obligation put on us all to K the  

reward or punishment for not following one's  duty was not in heaven or hell but in a life  

made for oneself adherence to morality produced  not only a better life for yourself but a better  

life for all those around you similarly failure  to adhere to morality would produce unnecessary  

suffering for oneself and for those around you con  rule has a ripple effect your improved ability to  

be honest with yourself will increase how honest  you are with others and your honesty with others  

will influence them to be more honest with  themselves which will then help them improve  

their lives this is true for all aspects of K's  rule whether it's honesty productivity charity or  

consent the Michael Jackson Maxum suggest that  kant's rule once adopted by enough people will  

generate a snowball effect in the world enacting  more positive change than any calculated policy  

or institution the duty of self-respect Kant  intuitively understood that there is a fundamental  

link between our respect for ourselves and our  respect for the world the way we interact with  

our own psyche is the template which we apply to  our interactions with others and little progress  

can be made with others until we've made progress  with ourselves he would likely be disgusted with  

the self-esteem movement today seeing it as just  another way of treating people as a means to some  

end of feeling better self-respect isn't about  feeling better self-respect is about knowing  

your own value knowing that every human no matter  who they are deserves basic rights and dignities  

that every Consciousness is sacred and must be  treated as such Kant would argue that telling  

ourselves that we are worthless and shitty is  just as wrong as telling others that they are  

worthless and shitty lying to ourselves is just as  unethical as lying to others harming ourselves is  

just as repugnant as harming others self-love  and self-care are therefore not something you  

learn about or practice they are something you are  ethically called on to cultivate within yourself  

even if they are all you have left the impact  of kant's philosophy Khan's philosophy if you  

dive into it is riddled with inconsistencies  and issues but the power of His original ideas  

is undoubtedly changed the world and strangely  when I came across them a year ago they changed  

me I had spent most of my 20s pursuing many of  the items on the list above but I pursued them  

for practical and transactional reasons I pursued  them as a means because I thought that they would  

make my life better meanwhile the more I worked  at it the emptier I felt but reading Kant was an  

epiphany and only 80 Pages Kant Swept Away decades  worth of assumptions and beliefs he showed me that  

what you actually do doesn't matter as much as  the purpose behind doing it and until you find the  

right purpose you haven't found much of anything  at all K wasn't always a hum drum roue obsessed  

dork he wasn't always the mayor of boreville in  fact in kant's younger years he was a bit of a  

party Hound as well he would stay up late drinking  wine and playing cards with his friends he'd sleep  

late and eat too much and host big parties it  wasn't until he turned 40 that he dropped it  

all and developed the routine life he later made  famous he said that he developed this routine at  

40 because he realized the moral implications  of his actions and decided that he would no  

longer allow himself to waste the precious time or  energy his Consciousness had left Kant called this  

developing character AKA building a life designed  around maximizing your own potential he believed  

most people can't develop true character until  they reach middle age because until then they  

are still too seduced by the fancies and whims of  the world blown this way and that from excitement  

to Despair and back again we're too obsessed  with accumulating more means and are hopelessly  

oblivious to the ends that drive us to develop  character a person must Master their own actions  

and master themselves and while few of us can  accomplish that in a lifetime Kant believed  

it's something we each have a duty to work towards  in fact he believed it was the only thing to work

[Music] towards what's up everybody Mark  Manson here and what you just heard is an  

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