ABSTRACT
‘Beauty and dignity’ are also innate qualities of human nature as such. Contrary to Rousseau, Kant held that this ‘beauty and dignity’ are grounded primarily in the rational quality of human nature. In the framework of the Kantian theory of ethics the position can now be described as follows: The categorical imperative in its empty formality, instils the qualities of consistency, freedom, autonomy and rationality into the will it determines, since these are the qualities which are the pre-conditions of its efficacy. The moral value for which such supremacy is claimed, is the dignity of man as an upper limit to the pursuit of all ends. The notion of right is vindicated as the only necessary basis for ethics and has been arrived at without recourse to any heterogeneous hypotheses through an analysis of the significance and implications of our daily moral experience.
