...Kant & Mill Kant and Mill were two philosophers known and recognized for their moral integrity, merit, and their contributions to society through philosophical beings. Kant and Mills perspectives are alike; yet differ, in a variety set of ways. Through an actual real life event, I will describe how their philosophical theories would be demonstrated and the consequences of those actions according to the choice that is being ultimately made. Being that they are philosophers, who has the correct theory and which theory should the world abide by? The great philosopher Kant stated that “Act only on that maxim whereby thou canst at the same time will it become a universal law.” This statement is the categorical imperative of the philosopher Immanuel Kant. Another way to describe this philosophical concept is by stating that good will should be good in itself regardless of the obstacles that may interfere with the end results of an action. Kant utilizes some space throughout his moral philosophy to argue that good will should merely depict good intentions even if the conveyer is victimized. Lets get deeper in Kant’s ethical theory. Actions that are being done only because of initial duty are morally good in relation to their maxims, the subjective principles of choice. Duty, according to Kant, “is the necessity of acting from respect for the law.” The law is the objective principle of choice. So, for Kant, for a maxim to be morally good it must conform to a universal law...
Words: 1631 - Pages: 7
...Stuart Mill vs. Immanuel Kant The aim of this paper is to clearly depict how John Stuart Mill’s belief to do good for all is more appropriate for our society than Immanuel Kant’s principle that it is better to do what's morally just. I will explain why Mill’s theory served as a better guide to moral behavior and differentiate between the rights and responsibilities of human beings to themselves and society. Immanuel Kant and John Stuart Mill are philosophers who addressed the issues of morality in terms of how moral customs are formed. Immanuel Kant presented one perspective in The Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals that is founded on his belief that the worth of man is inherent in his skill to reason. John Stuart Mill holds another belief as presented in the book, Utilitarianism, which is seemingly conflicting with the thoughts of Kant. What is most unique about the ethics of morality is the idea of responsibilities to particular individuals. According to both Mill and Kant, moral obligations are not fundamentally particularistic because they are rooted in universal moral principles. Both philosophers have made great impacts in their niche areas in the field. An analysis of their theories may help develop a better understanding of them and their theories. Mill holds an empiricist theory while Kant holds a rationalist theory. Kant explains morality through forms that he believes are essential to free and sensible judgment. Mill’s utilitarian approach is a...
Words: 2175 - Pages: 9
...Final Draft Article--Torture Let’s first take a look at an overview about how ethics relate to both Mill and Kant when discussing torture, both having two completely different views. Kant uses moral reasoning, “categorical imperative”, which says that a person’s behavior should live up to moral laws. He states that moral laws are the truth of reason and that all rational people should oblige to the same moral law. He focuses on moral verses immoral actions, allowing us to make easier decisions that involve only bad and good. Kant does not however talk about decisions when faced with the opposite, for example, when faced with bad vs bad or good vs good. He talks about having belief in free will, God and the eternal soul. Freedom plays a...
Words: 799 - Pages: 4
...Moral Theory and Culture Culture is a way of life; it guides beliefs, values, and attitudes. It identifies who one is. It defines the nature of relationships, and individual practices. The decision and actions one take is based upon culture. It is culture that is the building block of one’s moral beliefs. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the “Classical Theories of Morality” and the relevance of these theories to cultural identity. Aristotle’s theory suggests that every action is aimed at some good and good is the object of these actions. Aristotle defines the good as happiness (Kucukuysal and Beyhan, 2011). Happiness and good are synonymous across cultures with living well. However, culture defines the meaning of happiness at different points in ones life. Ones perception of happiness can be quite different from another’s (Scalet and Arthur, 2014). For example, one may define happiness through wealth and success and another may define happiness, not on the material things they own but the family they have and the choices they have made through life. Aristotle also suggests happiness conforms to goodness of virtue (Kucukuysal and Beyhan, 2011). To be happy and good, one must make the right choices. Virtue is taught and learned. The ability to define happiness and decide what is virtuous is an individual choice based upon life teachings and experience. In order to make someone else happy, you must be happy with yourself. Life’s choices, treatment of others should be made...
Words: 957 - Pages: 4
...Utilitarianism; and Emotion versus reason as well as others. The approaches that are used to deal with these issues are up to the person which dilemma or situation is best fitted. In order to use one of these methods you have to understand these theories and their purposes. Immanuel Kant was a dominant philosopher of his time (1724-1804), the theory of Kant is the most difficult to understand but when understood is a simple approach. Kant argues that “the moral worth of an action is to be judged not by its consequences but by the nature of the maxim or principal that motivated the action”(Cahn pg. 98). The only actions that are correct are the ones that can serve as universal laws. People should act only on principles or maxims that can be universalized without contradiction. Another theory that is the theory of a leading English philosopher known as John Stuart Mill (1806-1873), his theory differentiates between Kant’s in that his concentrates on the consequences of an action rather than the motive for an action. Mill’s theory is known as utilitarianism, this view is grounded off that principle that morality is to act as so to produce as much happiness as possible, each person counting equally. Mill’s view of happiness is defined as pleasure with the absence of pain. The theory of Aristotle, student of Plato...
Words: 1861 - Pages: 8
...the information I learn and the knowledge I gain to better myself. In this regard, I need to better myself in both my personal and professional capacities. Nevertheless, in order to attain this betterment, I need to come up with a moral program for my personal and professional lives. Whether it is applying the ethical principles of Aristotle, Kant and Mill, or combating moral illiteracy within my department, I plan to use my newfound information to its greatest potential. Therefore, this article first elucidates on the moral program that I would implement in my professional life as a nurse. Consequently, the second part is on a program fitted for my personal life as a single mother to a four-year-old child. Out of all the philosophers that we studied during the course, Aristotle's virtue ethics is the most suitable theory for my profession. According to Solomon (1992), Aristotle believed that “virtuous acts required conscious choice and moral purpose or motivation” (Solomon, 1992, p. 321). In this regard, this is the most crucial aspect that I must exemplify in my professional life as a nurse. Furthermore, the six dimensions of virtue ethics are community, excellence, role identity, holism, integrity and judgment are crucial for an exemplary career as a...
Words: 2633 - Pages: 11
...November, 2015 Author Note This paper was written for Philosophy - Ethics, taught by Instructor Mulberry. Duties and Consequences The motion picture Casablanca from 1942, is a romantic drama movie that portrays people and scenarios in the midst of World War II background in Casablanca, Morocco. The lead protagonist, an American expatriate Rick Blaine, owns a nightclub Café Americian in Casablanca and in the movie must choose between his love interest or helping his love interest’s husband, a renowned leader of Czech Resistance movement, in fighting against the Nazi occupation in the Czech Republic. While Rick appears politically neutral, he is shown in the movie as having helped Ethiopians fight against fascist Italia hence his neutrality is only a cover. The thematic concepts that run through the course of the movie show that Rick must choose between his own individual happiness of reuniting with his love interest who is now married to the Resistance leader, or helping her and her husband in their fight for a greater common good that is the liberation of Czech Republic from the horrors of the Nazi regime that is taking over Europe. This paper examines the ideas that intersect between the characters and scenarios from the motion picture Casablanca, and philosopher Immanuel Kant’s Categorical Imperative, as well as how the motion picture supports the claims of Immanuel Kant and of philosopher John Stuart Mill’s Utilitarianism by making examples of the good and evil within Casablanca...
Words: 1359 - Pages: 6
...Considering the case at hand the situation is really a difficult and complicated one. The doctor has two options left with him. He can either wrongfully use the organs of the pizza delivery guy to save the lives of his five patients or he can just let the pizza delivery guy leave after delivering the pizza without causing any harm to him and thereby, letting his patient stay in the critical condition. This situation calls for an ethical analysis and in this regard the ethical theories of Kant and Mill should be brought under light to justify the action, which can be called appropriate on the part of the doctor. If I had been the doctor I would have considered both the ethical theories of Kant and Mill. I would have first considered the ethics...
Words: 656 - Pages: 3
...Immanuel Kant adheres to Deontological ethics. His theory offers a view of morality based on the principle of good will and duty. According to him, people can perform good actions solely by good intentions without any considerations to consequences. In addition, one must follow the laws and the categorical imperative in order to act in accordance with and from duty. Several other philosophers such as Hannah Arendt discuss Kant’s moral philosophy. In her case study: “The Accused and Duties of a Law-Abiding Citizen”, Arendt examines how Adolf Eichmann’s actions conformed to Kant’s moral precepts but also how they ran of afoul to his conception of duty. In contrast, John Stuart Mill adopts a teleological view of moral philosophy. He exposes his view of consequentialism and utilitarianism to argue that an action is morally right only to the extent that it maximizes the aggregate happiness of all parties involved regardless of the motive. In the present paper, I will expose Kant’s moral precepts and the importance of duty in his Deontological principles. Then, I will evaluate Arendt’s report on Adolf Eichmann to analyze the ways in which his actions were in accordance to or against Kant’s moral philosophy. I will conclude my discussion with an evaluation of Mill’s approach to morality in order to examine the differences between his teleological philosophy and Kant’s ethical principles. Kant’s moral philosophy is based on the categorical imperative (CI), good will, and duty. According...
Words: 2811 - Pages: 12
...Size Should Not Matter: Being Over a Size Ten Does Not Make One Ugly Is brand image more important than satisfying the most customers possible? In the mind of Mike Jeffries, CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F), yes brand image is more important than satisfying the most customers possible. According to Jeffries, A&F has a very selective target market, which does not include anyone who is overweight or in Jeffries’s mind who is not “good-looking”. In my opinion, even though the company A&F believes it has a certain brand image to maintain, there is no reason why A&F should discriminate against the amount of people that they do. By considering Aristotelian virtue ethics, Mill’s utilitarianism, and Carr’s idea on business bluffing, it is easy to see why the tactics of A&F are unmoral, or in the case of Carr, unjustified. On the other side, Kantian deontology shows that the tactics of A&F can be considered moral, however Kant’s reasons are not stronger than the reasons of Aristotle, Mill, and Carr. Before getting into the analyses from the perspectives from the previously mentioned people, it would be ideal to give some background information on the unethical values of A&F. It was not until 1996 when Jeffries became fully in charge of A&F when the company started to become an unethical store. The main reason the company has become so unethical, was because of the new brand image Jeffries decided to create for the company. Instead of having a brand image that could be marketed towards...
Words: 3638 - Pages: 15
...Justice- What’s the right thing to do?By: Michael J. Sandel | Chapter 2: Utilitarianism | Bentham's explanation of Utilitarianism is “the right thing to do is whatever will maximize utility.” (Sandel p.g.34) which means that the right thing to is always whatever produces the greatest amount of happiness and whatever is necessary to prevent unhappiness. Suppose you are walking and someone stops you to take a poll; they ask you if you rather have an animal center where you can pet animals, or if you would have a school for special children. Which would you choose? Most people would choose the school because there are children involved, but according to Bentham and his theory, there should be an animal center because it is what makes people happy. In our scenario, what makes people happy are animals therefore he would say to build a pet center because the people would be the happiest, hence maximizing utility. There is an objection in Bentham’s theory in his example of “the city of happiness”. In this example there is a girl in which she is locked away, where she should stay forever. In the city just outside of her home everyone is living a happy, joyous and life. In this room, the little girl is sad and miserable all the time, but because of her misery, the city can be happy. Is it wrong to have the girl locked up to maximize happiness throughout the city? Sandel goes to say “It would be wrong to violate the rights of an innocent child, even for the sake of the happiness...
Words: 649 - Pages: 3
...at Morales provides a number of chances for viewers to consider the resolution of difficult ethical issues containing international responsibilities, consequences of technical and financial decisions, and environmental concerns. This story teaches us many ethical values of the engineer that to maintain company secrets. Maria, wife of Fred Martinez and EPA compliance officer discuss about company issues in her house. Fred confronts several engineering decisions like using expensive controls manufactured by Lutz and Lutz, purchasing pipes and connectors which is made of stainless steel or a high pressure alloy, whether we can control manually the whole process, if automatic process fails. Code of ethics is one of most important thing everyone should have. As per the story, Code of ethics for an engineer is very important. He should not share his company secrets with anyone except his company colleagues. Ethical codes vary from individual to individual. DISCUSSION ON VIDEO: The video...
Words: 938 - Pages: 4
...Kant’s Ethics of Duty CHAPTER1: BACKGROUND Kant's ethics of duty holds that only a rational being could have a moral duty because only a rational being could envision something beyond what he wants in the moment to satisfy himself or to do harm to others. Only a rational being could conceive of an ethical duty to act according to the consideration that all other human beings would act in the same way. No animal or irrational human being could conceive of such a concept, such a duty, such a way of life. The rationality required for moral duty leads the individual to recognize that "the moral worth of an action does not lie in the effect expected from it, nor in any principle of action which requires to borrow its motive from this expected effect" (Timmons 156). Only reason will act according to the worth of an action in and of itself, without consideration for the gain or loss of any effect. CHAPTER 2: THEORY The categorical imperative holds that "I am never to act otherwise than so that I could also will that my maxim should become a universal law" (Timmons 156). Kant allows no exceptions to this imperative. He apparently believes that once one brick is taken out of the wall--say, a justifiable lie or false promise is told because of the gains won or losses avoided--then the whole wall is in danger of immediately collapsing. This makes the moral duty "imperative" for him. It is not a matter of what is "prudent," for example, in the case of telling a lie to bring a...
Words: 2226 - Pages: 9
...University Nicomachean Ethics viewpoint by Aristotle, the Metaphysics of Morals by Immanuel Kant and the Utilitarianism Theory of morality view by John Stuart Mill are the three classical theories of morality. An individual’s acts did not define who they were morally, but the person’s life as a whole did according to Aristotle. Meaning, the things a person did over their lifetime would determine if they had morals or not. This was known as the Nicomachean Ethics viewpoint. In today’s society, this could relate to someone who was an overall moral citizen, but one day that changed for them and they did something horribly wrong. For example, a husband or a wife killing their spouse and the spouses lover because they were found cheating. Aristotle believed the action that was an abnormality should not be considered when considering whether the person was good or bad, but that their good works over their lifetime should be considered. Aristotle believed there were three types of life: one devoted to sensual pleasures, one seeking out political interests and the other being a life of thoughts (Arthur, J. and Scalet, S., 2014). With very different beliefs Immanuel Kant believed that if an action is wrong it will forever be wrong, and there is no justification for those specific actions. However, he does make note that most decisions are based on a sense of duty and people’s rights, and felt that those decisions took priority over a certain action. Kant had three basic concepts...
Words: 691 - Pages: 3
...Future Financial problem of Social Security and Mill’s Greatest Happiness Principle Perhaps one of the most pressing issues that confront the future of the Social Security is its financial health. The recent 2014 Social Security report indicates that both the retirement and social security trust fund of the agency threatens to become exhausted by 2033. According to the report, while the retirement program of the Social security is fully funded for the next 19 years, its surplus fund will start to deplete as the retirements of the baby boomer accelerate. At which point, the agency’s current revenue would only be enough to sustain only 77 percent of the retirement benefits; while its disability program can only accommodate 75 percent of its promised benefits. Coming from this context, it is therefore of utmost importance for the Congress to enact reforms in order to put the agency’s programs back into balance (Kurtzleben 1). The pending financial problem of Social Security brings into mind the philosophy of John Stuart Mill. Mill clearly endorses the concept of utilitarianism that asserts that duty or right action is to be defined in terms of the promotion of happiness. One of the main principles of Mill centers on the idea of “greatest-happiness” which asserts that an individual must always act in such a way that the action will produce the greatest aggregate happiness among everyone. Under his conception of utilitarian, the acts are classified as either morally right or wrong...
Words: 795 - Pages: 4
