Interpretation of Kant March 24th, 2004 Kant's thesis, stated in the introduction to his article, is that rational beings are ends-in themselves and must never be used as means. Only they have intrinsic and moral worth. Animals are not persons because they are not rational, self-conscious beings and are incapable of grasping moral law. We, humans, possess reason and animals do not according to most western thought. Humans have a will, which can be also described as free will or volition. It is a basis of action. The first sentence of Kant's article, "The will is conceived as a...
animals culminates in cruelty towards mankind. So, why doesnt Kant feel that animals should have intrinsic rights as humans do? By their very nature, animals share analogies with humans that evoke compassion on the hearts of those Kant believes are morally righteous.

Kant contends that animals display no acts of free will or reason, therefore they cannot be regarded as an end in itself. In other words they carry no intrinsic value. They can make no decisions of their own free will. They are conditioned and cannot deviate from their senses or instincts. They are incapable of self-determination.