Utilitarian Theory

John Mill’s Utilitarianism theory * All his theory focuses on is maximizing utility for the greatest number of people possible * Moral as long as it is the “best action” to maximize happiness for the greatest number, even if a single person has to sacrifice * BP’s oil spill throughout the Gulf of Mexico is exactly the opposite from Mill’s theory because it actually minimizes utility for everyone who is affected. The spill devastated coastal beaches and businesses that relied on tourism and fishing. The disaster was not only a health concern for people, but it possibly cost businesses millions of dollars in lost revenue. Oil that spread underwater hurt wildlife throughout the gulf and its affects could be seen for years to come * This approach suggests that this is immoral because the oil spill caused more harm than good. No utility was provided from this situation because the oil spill itself only caused negative consequences.
Immanuel Kant’s Deontology theory * This theory states that consequences of an action do not matter and have no moral relevance, thus only intentions are morally relevant * They knew about the potential harm that might affect the population , yet they didn’t do anything about it. * Categoricalimperatives- first a person should be willing to have the reasons for their actions become universal principals. “Is it universally acceptable for every company to cause damages to environment, economy and to third parties as well as to country citizens?” for BP, it might be perfectly fine, until it becomes part of the third party (the local citizens).. second Therefore by hiding information from the government, the local fishers, local citizens . therefore, BP has breached the second categorical imperative standing for respect of the individual. * According to Kant BP should have fixed the problem that it was aware of before continuing on with the project, even if this would not make the company profitable. * The