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Similarly, it might happen. that the general welfare is promoted by punishing people excessively -- a greater punishment might have a greater deterrent effect. But both of these are, on their face,.violations of justice, which Retributivism would never allow." (Rachels, 135)
The danger presented here is one which threatens under any condition of ethical diversion. In the case of lying, there is an inherent danger that establishing an acceptance of divergence from truth as a moral norm under the pretense that such lying is geared toward sustenance of happiness could open the floodgates for the spectrum of interpretations as to how such happiness may be optimally attained. Herein lay the promise of a breakdown in social order about which Kant initially warns.
Mill's rule of exception, which allows that lying is wrong only 'in general,' is one founded on the intent to disestablish the hegemonic establishment of moral values. By siting happiness as the primary directive of morality, the utilitarians do succeed at removing many of the ulterior motives...
However, Kant's framework is far more convincing. While moral absolutes may often have the effect of inciting close and warranted scrutiny, Kant makes a compelling case that it is not necessarily permissible to abandon certain unchangeable parameters to ethical decision-making. While it is still debatable whether or not there are exceptions to morality regarding lying, Kant illustrates effectively that the subject of truth is too important to be left to the chance of subjectivity.
Works Cited
Albot, Phillip. (2002). Two Senses of 'Right.' Department of Philsophy: Washington University. Online at http://faculty.washington.edu/wtalbott/phil338/trFCSS&N.html
Kant, I. 1785. Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals. Jonathan Bennett
Rachels, James. (1993). The Utilitarian Approach. The Elements of Moral Philosophy, pg. 91-101. New York: McGraw Hill.
Rachels, James. (1993). Kant and Respect for Persons. The Elements of Moral Philosophy, pg. 127-138. New York: McGraw Hill.
Works Cited
Albot, Phillip. (2002). Two Senses of 'Right.' Department of Philsophy: Washington University. Online at http://faculty.washington.edu/wtalbott/phil338/trFCSS&N.html
Kant, I. 1785. Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals. Jonathan Bennett
Rachels, James. (1993). The Utilitarian Approach. The Elements of Moral Philosophy, pg. 91-101. New York: McGraw Hill.
Rachels, James. (1993). Kant and Respect for Persons. The Elements of Moral Philosophy, pg. 127-138. New York: McGraw Hill.
Lastly, it runs counter to the view that morality is essentially related to the concept of justice. Many critics of this theory argue that, "morality is not based on consequences of actions. Instead, it is based on the fundamental concept of justice" (Lee). In the final analysis, the dilemma in utilitarianism is that it unable to deal with a wide range of moral issue and actins and, as such, tends
The satisfaction derived from that is by reason of good will towards the common man and not some universal pleasure felt by all men. But what about pain? Is Mills seems to be stating that happiness is the absence of pain. But is not some pain beneficial? Our reaction to spoiled milk that prevents us from drinking it for example. Wait, perhaps there are levels of pain that need to
Moreover, caring for her mother, the other option, would surely: a) create a feeling of being "unfulfilled" which brings with it depression and resentfulness; b) leave her with nothing to look forward to but the dark day when her mother actually passes away; and c) realize after a short time that she is not "a Mother Teresa" and that her live would be diminished (Stuart, 25). What does Stuart believe is
Utilitarianism: Weighing the Balance The common good is often spoken of as a principle for social justice: that which benefits the whole should be promoted. Or, that which is universally good should have the highest support. It could be said that this is a utilitarian concept -- yet in modern terms of justice where egalitarianism can appear to be at odds with the "common good," the role of minority voices and
Utilitarianism and Categorical Imperatives A Comparison of the Theories of Utilitarianism and Categorical Imperatives The principles of Utilitarianism and Categorical Imperatives contradict each other on many fronts. Both provide a rational for making moral decisions, both have benefits and flaws. A compelling argument can be made for each. From my perspective the principal's of Kant exemplify a more ethical way to conduct life. Utilitarianism Utilitarianism as a specific school of thought is generally credited
Today's laws consider human life the highest of all rights. Hence also the ethical difficulty relating to abortion. Although abortion might be the utilitarian course of action; the mother does not have the finances to support a baby: there is no husband; the baby will not have access to his or her basic rights as a person, the ethical viewpoint of many fundamentalists is that it simply cannot be