Kantian Ethics And Utilitarianism Are At Variance On...

Kantian ethics and utilitarianism are at variance on issues of morality and do share a similar end goal on what general ethical outcomes in solving the ills of the world. These two philosophical thoughts examine nature of morality with variant theories. As Kantian ethics are based on the theories propagated by German philosopher Immanuel Kant, utilitarianism on the other hand as has been projected by Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mills and many others who share in this school of thought. In this essay, I am going to examine these two contrasting views and provides responses to each objection as provided by their ethos. I will also draw some parallels as identified and make an assessment based on my personal preference. For all their†¦show more content†¦Immanuel Kant will argue that the man should not steal the medicine under any circumstances as stealing is an immoral act and does not meet universal applicability or maxim, hence the child should be allowed to die as the at tempt to save him will result in an immoral act. He further urges that, when stealing the medicine was to become a maxim, many people will result in stealing medicine during an ailment and scientist will not get the needed fund to aid research and produce more medication to serve the needs of more people. We can then contrast that to the view of a utilitarian who will argue for the drugs to be stolen to save the child, which its outcome will produce the higher amount of good for most people as the child will be saved and the pharmacist will only suffer minimal profit loss. Kantians offer a further rebuttal to the position of the utilitarian that there is more to happiness to morality than trying to maximise happiness. Essentially, consequences are negative criteria for morality since they cannot be controlled and happiness is also a negative criterion for morality since some action that leads to happiness cannot necessary means the action is a just. This example as illustrated, point to two distinct arrays, means, and outcomes. Whiles Kant’s reasons are based on how an action is carried out, utilitarian looks at theShow MoreRelatedVirtue Ethics Application to Business Ethics Essay1554 Words   |  7 PagesVirtue Ethics Application to Business Ethics As with all forms of ethics, whilst written about in a general sense the ethical thought appear a feasible process and an appropriate way to act and behave, it however needs to stand up against certain moral issues to ‘test’ its fallibility. Business ethics would be one such example. Aristotle, the farther of virtue ethics felt community care is the reason for the market system. A business would be selfless economic Read MoreEthics and Moral Theory3716 Words   |  15 PagesThe words moral and ethics (and cognates) are often used interchangeably. However, it is useful to make the following distinction: Morality  is the system through which we determine right and wrong conduct -- i.e., the guide to good or right conduct. Ethics  is the philosophical study of Morality. What, then, is a moral theory? A theory is a structured set of statements used to explain (or predict) a set of facts or concepts.à  A moral theory, then, explains why a certain action is wrong -- orRead MoreBioethics And The Rest Of Us1982 Words   |  8 PagesBioethics and the rest of us What is Ethics? According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, it is a systematic study of what is right and wrong. This definition refers to the prehistoric times when men received laws in supernatural circumstances, like the code of Hammurabi and the Ten Commandments. They contained moral codes on human relationship. What is Bioethics? The term bioethics which has a Greek etymology, Bio-origin and Ethos –behaviour was coined in 1926 by Fritz Jahr, a German Protestant theologianRead MoreEntertainment Media Ethics : Music And Music Videos8248 Words   |  33 PagesENTERTAINMENT MEDIA ETHICS: MUSIC AND MUSIC VIDEOS SECTION ONE: INTRODUCTION Music is an important part of life. Its role as a form of art and entertainment is a significant one but more important is that it serves to reflect and reinforce societal norms and values. It is not only used to entertain but also serves as a form of social commentary (Baran, 2009). For instance, the emergence of Rhythm and Blues (RB) in America after the Second World War was a means of advancing the black race and it