intentions behind them. Kant’s theory states that nothing is good without qualification‚ except for the good will. The reason for this is that even though many things may have the potential for good‚ they have the same potential for evil; take for example the human brain. A will is good according to Kant when it “is good in itself‚ and considered by itself to be esteemed much higher than all that can be brought about by it in favour of any inclination” (Kant 55). B. Kant’s categorical imperative states
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starting point and expand our discussion‚ we should understand how the Wikileaks topic would be projected onto the scope of one of such systems of values. What is the utilitarian vision of free information? Definition of utilitarianism states that a proper or moral action is one that maximizes utility or happiness. In other words‚ utilitarian considers something is moral if the plurality benefits from it. Clearly one of the parties that benefits from disclosing classified information are regular people
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When Oliver North was asked to explain why he lied to congressional committees about his role in the Iran-Contra affair‚ he replied‚ "Lying does not come easily to me. But we all had to weigh in the balance the difference between lies and lives." Elsewhere in his testimony‚ North was asked about the false chronology of events he fabricated when preparing a summary of the government’s involvement in arms sales to Iran: Questioner: . . . You have indicated that. . . in your own mind . . . it was a
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terminally ill is known as euthanasia. Physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia is a controversial topic that brings up many ethical issues and the rights of the patients the physicians serve. Many questions arise when this topic is discussed. For example‚ does an individual have the right to end their life‚ if prolonging it will only cause more pain and suffering? Should families‚ who do not want to lose a loved one‚ be allowed to prolong the pain in the life of a terminally ill family member so
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EXPLAIN THE MAIN STRENGHTS OF A UTILITARIAN ETHICAL SYSTEM [25] 27/9/13 Utilitarianism‚ the theory that actions are right if they useful for the majority‚ the greatest happiness and pleasure for the greatest and majority of people. Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) was an English moral philosopher concerned with social reform‚ Bentham wanted people to seek pleasure and avoid pain. On the other hand John Stuart Mill (1806-1873) who was a great admirer of Bentham; however‚ he believed
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Therefore‚ I believe that the court order for Baby Theresa to live out her full lifespan‚ instead of allowing for her organs to be donated‚ was the wrong decision. I believe that in baby Theresa’s case that the utilitarian point of view is the best way to act on the situation. Being a utilitarian means that you do something that results in higher happiness for everyone and letting the doctors use Theresa’s organs would have done so. Having her alive for a few extra days may have caused other suffering
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In chapter 2 of your textbook‚ Jonathan Wolff gives a formalized version of the utilitarian argument for the state. Please evaluate the first three premises of this argument: for each of these three premises‚ state whether you think that premise is true‚ and explain why or why not. For each of the three premises that you think is true‚ please also describe one objection to that premise‚ and explain why you think that the objection ultimately fails. Please assume that “state” in the formalized argument
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South African Investment and Utilitarian Principles “Utilitarianism is a general term for any view that holds that actions and policies should be evaluated on the basis of the benefits and costs they will impose on society” (Velasquez‚ 2010‚ p. 59). The Ford Pinto example (Velasquez‚ 2010‚ pp. 60-61) calculated utilitarian benefits as a straight-line computation based upon monetary values which were placed on costs and benefits and making a decision based upon where the scale showed the
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Retributive‚ Utilitarian and Rehabilitative Justice Compared The three justice theories or views‚ which include utilitarianism‚ rehabilitative or a retributive style of justice‚ are multifaceted. It is not easy to sum the aspects of each without lengthy discussion. Therefore‚ I will try to maximize my efforts and offer concise answers. It is fair to note that my belief system correlates strongly with retributive style justice theory. Nevertheless‚ I will compare all three theories accordingly.
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Furthermore‚ Srinivasa states that we are pressurized by the Utilitarian that ourselves belong to us and should be at the service of helping others. But we don’t belong to ourselves‚ we cannot be a service by helping others if we don’t want that and wish for. Srinivasan mentions the statement presented by MacAskill when he says that he did not donate to the hospital in Haiti where one of his friends was there. He did not donate there because he could donate elsewhere and should not donate to somewhere
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