Our project has developed a Kantian account of mistreating persons alongside an account of treating persons well. According to a well-known principle of Kant's ethics, we should never use people merely as means. This is the wrong of instrumentalization. However, Kant also insists on our duties to act as means for one another.

We have explored two connections between these ideas. First, we analysed forms of mistreatment beyond instrumentalization, such as paternalism and hostility. In particular, we have emphasised that many forms of mistreatment deny people opportunities to act as means for others – e.g. in forms of social and legal exclusion.

Second, to affirm people's status as ends-in-themselves, we must recognise their abilities and responsibilities to act as means. As such, we explore an overlooked dimension of Kant's ideal "realm of ends," emphasising the importance of forms of cooperation that include people as means and ends (rather than merely as means).

After three exciting years, our project formally ended in February 2026. We're actively pursuing different lines of research that have come out of the project, and this website will include regular updates – see our News & Events page for up-coming online sessions and in-person events, or email us to join our mailing list.