The Second Formulation of Kant's Categorical Imperative states:
Act in such a way that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other, never merely as a means to an end, but always at the same time as an end.
What he means is:
Say you want to cross a river, but are unable to swim.
Your friend is standing nearby.
You can't just toss your friend into the river...
and use them as a floatation device.
BUT...
You can ASK them if they will help you across.
By doing so, you respect their intrinsic human dignity,
and their choice to make your goals theirs as well.
Then both of you get balloons.
