He's a nerdy guy who talks about the importance of the individual. Plus, there's some intellectual heft in understanding (parts of) his writings. I think his respect of the individual is more of a left-wing approach.
But it is a real challenge elevating a guy in popularity who lived from 1724-1804, to the point where his picture is worn on T-shirts.
Kant said, treat a person always at least in part as an end in himself or herself, and never purely as a means. And most famously he extended this to a situation where a maniac with a hatchet comes to the door asking if so-and-so is in the house. Kant said that you still can't lie to the person. (although I wonder if a super hero type lie is permissible!)
Apparently, ol' Immanuel was really against rebellion.
So, Bonus Points if this helps '60s youngsters better understood their elders. Not that it tempers the radicalism, but rather that it helps lift it to a higher game.
But it is a real challenge elevating a guy in popularity who lived from 1724-1804, to the point where his picture is worn on T-shirts.
Kant said, treat a person always at least in part as an end in himself or herself, and never purely as a means. And most famously he extended this to a situation where a maniac with a hatchet comes to the door asking if so-and-so is in the house. Kant said that you still can't lie to the person. (although I wonder if a super hero type lie is permissible!)
Apparently, ol' Immanuel was really against rebellion.
So, Bonus Points if this helps '60s youngsters better understood their elders. Not that it tempers the radicalism, but rather that it helps lift it to a higher game.