Universal Formulas In Kant's Definitions Of Morality

After recognising that people behave in ways that they call moral, Kant proposed a way to understand morality that was independent of a supreme deity. Kant was a moral absolutist and believed that morality was constant in almost a mathematical sense. He explained morality through categorical imperatives. These are commands that we ought to follow regardless of our desires. He broke down the categorical imperatives into two formulations; the humanity and universal formulas. Kant claimed that these two formulations are equivalent. In this essay, I shall evaluate the equality and application of the two formulations in light of different examples.
The universal formula states that one should only act on a maxim that makes sense for them to will everyone to act (Kant,18). A maxim is a principle on which one decides to act. The universal formula claims that one should evaluate how the universe would look like when their choice of action becomes a law of human nature (Kant,18). In other words, a person must not

She has deprived her of the right to know what is going on and to make autonomous decisions about the party. She is using Alia merely as a means to an end which in this case is happiness and is a violation of the humanity formula. However, in this case it is hard to distinguish whether its Alia or Beth who is being used merely as a means. Alia has always wanted her friends to throw her the party so it could be that Beth is being used merely as a means to fulfill Alia’s request. However, it could be that Beth is using Alia just to achieve a happy ending by lying to throw the party. It could also be argued that the using the other here is not ‘using merely as a means’ but, as a means which does not violate the humanity formula. This example shows how it could be hard to distinguish when one is being used as a means versus when they are used merely as a