“Autonomy” and “End” in Kantian Ethics

In this paper I will try to give an insight into the main concepts of “autonomy” and “end” in Kantian ethics. In spite of the fact that Kant based his moral theory on the unconditional principle of categorical imperative, he brings together the moral components of autonomy and end to formulate a teleological philosophy of freedom in order to show that “the supreme principle of morality” is a personality who is subject only to laws given by himself. When taken into account the assumption that the ground of moral law is freedom, the autonomy of personality gains more signification. But Kant also considers the implications that arises with such a theory. Kant thinks that human beings can only attain perfection by creating a society where personalities as ends in themselves form moral relations with a view that goodness should come into existence. I will also elucidate these two important concepts so that I may respond to the several charges leveled against Kant’s ethical philosoph