The Utilitarianism Movement During The 19th Century

Utilitarianism was a movement that took off during the enlightenment at the end of the 18th century and through the beginning of the 19th century. The fact that this took off at the same time as the enlightenment is no coincidence, as that was when the general public began to lose trust in the church. Utilitarianism is the belief that the most correct action is always what serves the greatest good for the greatest number of people. This was revolutionary in its time because it goes against the major leading belief of divine command which said that some actions were always immoral regardless of their effects. Utilitarianism however, believes that something such as murder can be good if the ends justify it. Put simply, Utilitarians care about the ends, rather than the means, of an action to see if it is justified. Critics of utilitarianism say that the belief does not respect human dignity, nor does it ever support the needs of minority groups as compared to the majority. The largest criticism of utilitarianism is that it paints with too broad of a stroke because what provides the most good for the most people will often require means that other beliefs would consider wrong.
Kant believed in the ultimate good and fundamental rationality of humans. This formed the categorical imperative which decides if a decision is good or bad. If a decision can be applied universally and still be possible, it is likely rational. Otherwise the maxim will result in either a contradiction in conception resulting in a perfect duty or a contradiction in will or imperfect duty. Kant also believed that performing a good action for non-rational reasons is not morally good and rational decisions with consequences we cannot be held accountable for as it is outside of our