What does it mean by treating someone as an end in itself and treating a being as a means only?

Treating someone as an end in itself means recognizing and respecting their inherent value and dignity as a person, acknowledging their rights, desires, and autonomy. In contrast, treating a being as a means only involves using them for one's own goals or benefits, disregarding their individuality and worth. This distinction is central to ethical theories, particularly in Kantian ethics, which emphasizes the moral imperative to treat individuals with respect and not merely as tools for personal gain.