Preview

Kant's Theory Of Utilitarianism

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
281 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Kant's Theory Of Utilitarianism
This essay aims to argue the views of two different theorist, Jeremy Bentham and Immanuel Kant, with regards to their views on moral worth of an action. The idea of good and bad creates heated debates among many, but this essay will successfully unravel the layers of Bentham’s theory of Utilitarianism and his belief that all our motives are driven by pleasure and pain. While arguing Kant’s opposing argument that moral worth of an act revolves around democratic attitudes, and that moral truths are founded on reasons that is logical to all people. When one breaks down both theories, it occurs that Kant’s theory comes out to be the more sensible one in numerous aspects.

KANT’S THEORY OF MAXIMS

Kant has a more precise view on the moral worth
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Immanuel Kant's Ethical Summary
    • 1512 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Immanuel Kant's Ethical Summary

    There is an old saying that it is better to be lucky than good. This may be true if a person is always lucky, but luck sometimes has a tendency to run out. Making decisions that affect other people’s lives based on luck can be sometimes dangerous, and usually ethically questionable. Leaders who routinely depend on luck for success may find themselves relying on other questionable actions, such as lying, cheating, or stealing, to ensure luck stays on their side. Additionally, this type of behavior may force subordinates to make ethically questionable decisions when luck begins to run out.…

    • 1512 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Ethical Systems of Kant and Mill
    • 2194 Words
    • 9 Pages

    The Ethical Systems of Kant and Mill

    What part does happiness play in determining the morality of an act in a situation? Can a concept that ties morality to the search of happiness truly be rational? What of the opposite? Is it possible to view every situation with objectivity, never taking into account an emotion (like happiness)? The questions above concern themselves with the part of the central tenets of the ethical views of two very important philosophers, respectfully: John Mill and Immanuel Kant. The ethical theories that these two philosophers laid out clash with each other in fundamental ways, from how reason was defined, to the role that “happiness” played in determining the ethical choice in a moral dilemma. In the following pages, I will attempt to present and discuss the theories of Kant and Mill, pointing out what I perceive as weakness in said theories, as well as the possible strengths of each system.…

    • 2194 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Immanuel Kant's Theory Of Morality
    • 78 Words
    • 1 Page

    Immanuel Kant's Theory Of Morality

    Immanuel Kant was a German philosopher from the 18th century who is well known as an essential person in philosophy today. He has made the argument that there are a set of essential ideas that structure human experience and is the source of morality. His thought continues to have a major influence in contemporary thought, especially the fields of metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, political philosophy, and aesthetics. Kant’s theory on morality as often been criticized on being too…

    • 78 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Sheppard-Towner Act
    • 996 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The Sheppard-Towner Act

    Jeremy Bentham is primarily known today for his principle of utilitarianism, which assesses actions given their results. Bentham believes that an act is considered “just” if it produces the most joy and minimal pain for the best number of individuals who affected directly or indirectly by that action. On the other hand, Kant suggests that only duty and rules ought to administer our operations, as outcomes are outside our ability to control.…

    • 996 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Kant's Arguments On Ethical Decision-Making
    • 1138 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Kant's Arguments On Ethical Decision-Making

    In this analytical paper I’ll be analyzing a scenario about a five year old girl who is in renal failure and is in need of a kidney transplant. In this the father is the only one compatible with her, but he does not want to donate his kidney to save her life. The scenario will be analyzed through the deontological/Kantian and the consequentialist/utilitarian viewpoints in ethical decision making. It’ll also be analyzed by deciding which perspective would be relevant and a discussion of what I as a doctor would do following the ethical view point of my choice.…

    • 1138 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Kant's Ethical Theory Analysis
    • 480 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Kant's Ethical Theory Analysis

    From the way that Kant has been interpreted as a constructivist under the standard model, as Wood’s revealed, one can remark three points about this approach: Overemphasizing on the Formula of Universal Law (FUL), Conception of Value, Conception of Autonomy.…

    • 480 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Kant's Grounds for Metaphysics and Morality
    • 544 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Kant's Grounds for Metaphysics and Morality

    In this essay I’m going to address questions concerning Kant’s grounding for the metaphysics of morals. First, I will describe each of his examples of acts done out of desire and acts done out of duty. Then I will answer the following questions: 1. What conclusion about moral worth does Kant use these examples to illustrate? 2. Whether I agree or disagree with Kant that if you perform an action out of duty, then the act has more moral worth that it would if you were to perform it out of the desire to make someone else happy—using my own example of a moral act done out of the desire to make someone else happy.…

    • 544 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Moral Theories: Kant and J.S Mill
    • 1481 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Moral Theories: Kant and J.S Mill

    Throughout this paper, I will contrast and compare two moral theories in attempt to uncover what one provides a better argument and can be applied as a universal moral code. The two moral theorists Immanuel Kant and J.S Mill have created two distinctly different theories on morality and how to develop a universal moral code. Both theories focus on intentions and consequences. Kant believes that the intentions and reasons of our actions can be measured and defined as morally correct, where as Mill believes that our intentions really play no role in morality, and that we should focus on the consequences and outcomes of our actions to evoke the most happiness for the most people. Even though both philosophers make incredibly different points, each encompasses strong arguments as well as issues with their approach. However, Kant will be successful in articulating a better universal moral theory through the use of his categorical imperative.…

    • 1481 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The Utilitarianism Theory
    • 101 Words
    • 1 Page

    The Utilitarianism Theory

    The Utilitarianism theory supports individual capability to foresee the costs of an act. A Utilitarian considers the decision of giving the best profit to a large number of people; this is known to be ethically correct.…

    • 101 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Kant's Critique of Utilitarianism and a Maxim put through the categorical Imperative.
    • 494 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Kant's Critique of Utilitarianism and a Maxim put through the categorical Imperative.

    Kant's critique of Utilitarianism is that it treats people as a means not as an ends in themselves. Since he is a deontologist he presumes that there is a universal moral imperative, certain ways in which we must act, no matter what our individual desires or needs or utility might be. The Categorical Imperative is an idea of reason. This knowledge is not derived from experience but rather, it is a priori. It also binds us and we all act in a certain way because of it. It is unconditional. It is the first principle of the moral law and it applies to rational and reasonable beings. Since we are sensuous creatures, we experience the moral law as a constraint. We have a tendency to do otherwise because we may come across moral dilemmas. Sometimes we know we should do something but we might reason against it. Kant believed that by putting something through the CI procedure we would be able to see if it was moral or immoral. There are four steps in this procedure. First you formulate you subjective maxim. Let us use the example that: I will cheat on my philosophy test because I didn't have enough time to study. The next step is to generalize this maxim, so for every time I don't have enough time to study I will cheat on my philosophy test. Then you universalize this maxim as if it were an instinct: everyone will cheat on their philosophy test every time they don't have enough time to study. You then take this new law and join it with the old law and compare its affects. Now that I have put it through these four steps it is a given that people will study on their philosophy test every time they don't have enough time to study. This will take away the value of a good grade that a person that studies may receive. You then ask yourself two questions: Can I coherently conceive of such a world? And if so, Can I sincerely will such a world? If at the end of all this, the maxim drops out and passes all these tests then it is okay to act on it because it is morally permissible.…

    • 494 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Explain Kants Theory of Ethics
    • 1567 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Explain Kants Theory of Ethics

    Kant was born in 1724-1804, he was a German thinker from East Prussia (now Russia), and he spent his whole life in his hometown. Kant wanted to create a logical, stand-alone theory that wasn’t just based on assumptions, he believed in an objective right or wrong that is decided on reason and that we shouldn’t do the right thing just because it’s right and not to fulfil our desires. Can we lead a life following his ideals are there not some situations where a perfect moral decision cannot be made, are all our choices fuelled by personal gain and desire?…

    • 1567 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Philosophy Essay Deontology
    • 1329 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Philosophy Essay Deontology

    Immanuel Kant’s deontological moral theory provides a strong base for making correct decisions and is a better ethics system than Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill’s utilitarianism.…

    • 1329 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Kant's Ethical Theory
    • 698 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Kant's Ethical Theory

    Fraud is generally defined as an omission of a material fact or a misrepresentation of the truth, intended for personal gain or to cause loss to another party. The act of fraud is most commonly committed in order to deprive another of money, property, or a legal right. Fraud is considered criminal activity, and anyone who is affected by a fraudulent act has the ability to file a lawsuit to collect damages. J.C. Penny was accused of marking up the prices on their products and then discounting them to the original price in order to trick customers into thinking they were receiving heavy discounts and better deals. J.C. Penny committed this act for their own personal gain, and in doing so, they deprived their customers of money that they would…

    • 698 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Kantian and Utilitarian Theories
    • 2409 Words
    • 10 Pages

    Kantian and Utilitarian Theories

    Applying philosophical concepts to social issues can test the relevance of philosophy in contemporary society. Such application may also help to resolve present-day social issues, as philosophy can draw light on moral concerns. In this paper, the Kantian and Utilitarian moral theories are applied to the Nestle advertising controversy which began in 1970, and which lingers until today. An inquiry into the Kantian and Utilitarian ethical theories shall be made, similarities and differences pointed out, and an analysis done on how these theories may have found relevance in the stance of the advocates of breastfeeding opposed to the alleged unfair advertising practices of Nestle.…

    • 2409 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Kant's Non-Consequentialist Approach to Ethics,
    • 2051 Words
    • 9 Pages

    Kant's Non-Consequentialist Approach to Ethics,

    The name of Comm101 is Principle of Responsible Commerce. Before I enrolled the Comm101, I have no idea about principle of responsible commerce. At the lecture on week two, teacher had the presentation about this subject what the responsible commerce is. Generally speaking, the corporation has the responsible for animal, thing or person and so on. In my own understanding, to a person, if one person wants to have success on the commerce, he has to do things what the following points that I summarize. Firstly, take care about the customers by the customer’s side, and safeguard the legitimate interest of customers. Secondly, thanks for the products and support from company, and know about the satisfaction or not of products and after-sales service. Thirdly, you take more care of customers, then; customers would keep good relationship with you. The service what you provide is better and more comprehensive; the customers would keep deep impression of you. Finally, if you want others to treat you nice, you have to treat others how you treat others. I think these four points are important for the person who wants to get success in commerce. And these four points are also important for the business world. In other wise, corporation has responsibility. In order to understand corporation’s responsibility, we should know what corporation is. “A corporation is created under the laws of a state as a separate legal entity that has privileges and liabilities that are distinct from those of its members” (wikipeidia 2001). In my own view, the corporation is engaged in the production, circulation, services and other economic activities, use production and services satisfy the needs of society and as a for-profit economic organizations, implement its own decision, independent accounting, legally established. Also, the corporation generally refers to for commercial purpose, and uses various factors of production…

    • 2051 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More