--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: the passage on dignity is an addendum to…" description: "\"“the passage on dignity is an addendum to the formula of autonomy: ‘act only so that the will could regard itself as at the same time giving universal ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/adb/oliver-sensen-105060_autonomy_the-passage-on-dignity-is-an-addendum-to_275066.jpg" --- # the passage on dignity is an addendum to the formula of… ![“the passage on dignity is an addendum to the formula of autonomy: ‘act only so that the will could regard itself as at the same time giving universal law through its maxim’ (G IV 434). Kant raises the question of why a morally good being abides by this formula. His answer (in brief) is because…” quote by Oliver Sensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/adb/oliver-sensen-105060_autonomy_the-passage-on-dignity-is-an-addendum-to_275066.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/adb/oliver-sensen-105060_autonomy_the-passage-on-dignity-is-an-addendum-to_275066.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/adb/oliver-sensen-105060_autonomy_the-passage-on-dignity-is-an-addendum-to_275066.jpg) > ““the passage on dignity is an addendum to the formula of autonomy: ‘act only so that the will could regard itself as at the same time giving universal law through its maxim’ (G IV 434). Kant raises the question of why a morally good being abides by this formula. His answer (in brief) is because morality has an elevated worth (i.e. only moral dictates are categorical).”” [Oliver Sensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-sensen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Explains Kant’s view that dignity is tied to autonomy and the categorical imperative, asserting moral worth is absolute. **In simple terms:** Dignity stems from autonomous moral law; morality is intrinsically valuable. Key Takeaway Respect autonomy and uphold universal moral principles. Themes ethics autonomy dignity Mood thoughtful serious Type philosophical educational When to use this quote - ethical decision‑making - legal frameworks - personal conduct Key Concepts Kantian philosophy moral law human rights Questions to Reflect On - How does autonomy relate to personal dignity? - Can universal moral laws apply in diverse cultures? A Different Perspective Complex Kantian language may be inaccessible. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Autonomy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/autonomy/) [Categorical imperative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/categorical-imperative/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Dignity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dignity/) [Dignity Addendum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dignity-addendum-2680671/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Kant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kant/) [Moral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral/) [Passage Dignity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passage-dignity-2680670/) [Question Morally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/question-morally-1839935/) [Respect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respect/) ## Related quotes > [In attempting to understand 9/11, the first question asked by the world's elites - as exemplified by leading media and academics - was, 'What…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-prager/in-attempting-to-understand-9-11-the-first-question-asked-by-the/) [Dennis Prager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-prager/) > [Kantian ethical theory distinguishes three levels: First, that of a fundamental principle (the categorical imperative, formulated in three main ways in Kant's Groundwork); second,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/kantian-ethical-theory-distinguishes-three-levels-first-that-of-a/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [From the beginning, there has been a tension in the reception of the Kantian idea of autonomy. If you emphasize the 'nomos' (the law),…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/from-the-beginning-there-has-been-a-tension-in-the-reception-of-the/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [“Kant’s conception of dignity is indebted to Cicero and the Roman conception of dignitas, according to which dignity is an elevated position or rank.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-sensen/kant-s-conception-of-dignity-is-indebted-to-cicero-and-the-roman/) [Oliver Sensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-sensen/) > [There are moments in Life when keeping silent becomes a fault, and speaking an obligation. 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The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-serge/early-on-i-learnt-from-the-russian-intelligentsia-that-the-only/) [Victor Serge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-serge/) > [“Silence, silence.’ All the air of the fourteenth floor was sibilant with the categorical imperative. Fifty”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/silence-silence-all-the-air-of-the-fourteenth-floor-was-sibilant-with/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [“Iago’s treatment of Othello conforms to Bacon’s definition of scientific enquiry as putting Nature to the Question. If a member of the audience were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-h-auden-2/iago-s-treatment-of-othello-conforms-to-bacon-s-definition-of/) [W.H. Auden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-h-auden-2/) > [“To most people any radical change is even more odious than cynicism. The only way between the horns of dilemma is to persist at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/to-most-people-any-radical-change-is-even-more-odious-than-cynicism/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [A categorical imperative would be one which represented an action as objectively necessary in itself, without reference to any other purpose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/immanuel-kant/a-categorical-imperative-would-be-one-which-represented-an-action-as/) [Immanuel Kant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/immanuel-kant/) ## More by Oliver Sensen > [“Kant’s conception of dignity is indebted to Cicero and the Roman conception of dignitas, according to which dignity is an elevated position or rank.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-sensen/kant-s-conception-of-dignity-is-indebted-to-cicero-and-the-roman/) [Oliver Sensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-sensen/) [Explore all 2 Oliver Sensen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-sensen/) ## More Autonomy quotes > [I don't want to be famous famous. 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