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However, although utilitarianism traditionally promotes the greatest good for the greatest number, in actuality, in his second chapter on Utilitarianism, Mill criticizes Kant's categorical imperative as the same as utilitarianism since it involves calculating the good or bad consequences of an action to determine the morality of that action. Mill argues that his task is to demonstrate this highest principle inductively. Instead, he argues that actions are right in proportion, as they tend to promote happiness; wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness. (IEP, 2001) but it thus also could be argued from Mill's theory, that the use of the patients harms the hospital as well as the patients, and provides only shady future benefits, while does...
Thus, from both moral perspectives of Kant and Mill, the actions of "Extreme Measures" could be viewed as both categorically and from Mill's perspective, wrong from a utilitarian ethical mindset as well.
Works Cited
Extreme Measures." 1996.
IEP. "John Stewart Mill: Utilitarianism." The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 2001. http://www.utm.edu/research/iep/m/milljs.htm#topThe Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 2001. [22 Feb 2005]
McCormack. "Kant's Criticisms of Utilitarianism," the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 2001. http://www.iep.utm.edu/k/kantmeta.htm#Kant'sCriticisms of Utilitarianism. [22 Feb 2005]
Works Cited
Extreme Measures." 1996.
IEP. "John Stewart Mill: Utilitarianism." The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 2001. http://www.utm.edu/research/iep/m/milljs.htm#topThe Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 2001. [22 Feb 2005]
McCormack. "Kant's Criticisms of Utilitarianism," the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 2001. http://www.iep.utm.edu/k/kantmeta.htm#Kant'sCriticisms of Utilitarianism. [22 Feb 2005]
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
The concept of duty implies the need to overcome some obstacle in order to act, and it is foolish to speak of God as having to overcome any obstacles whatever. To explain further the notion of duty, Kant uses as an example a merchant who does not overcharge an inexperienced customer. This decision is completely in accord with duty. Assume, though that the merchant avoids overcharging so that he
human life be more valuable than another? William Godwin's thought experiment concerning Fenelon and his valet is intended to argue precisely this point. Godwin proposed a burning building with two people in it, Fenelon and his servant. Godwin argues "that life ought to be preferred which will be most conducive to the general good" and concludes that the moralist who would write the "immortal Telemachus" is therefore more valuable
There is a need to clearly point out that the two elements are never synonymous. The process of perfecting our own natural state in the Kantian view implies that we are actually in the process of attempting to cultivate "the crude dispositions of [our] nature, by which the animal is first raised into the human being" (Kant 1996b).In order to achieve this, Kant suggests that one is required to effectively cultivate
solving throughout this term. Solve the dilemma using Kant's ethics (Categorical Imperative). Solve the dilemma using any other method we have discussed to date (with which you agree.) State which resolution (Kant's or the other one you chose) you prefer and why. Britain's lush canopy tree is in danger of extermination due to axe-happy people preoccupying themselves with chopping it down. Reason includes the facts that they cause shedding of fruit at unsuspecting
Ethical Philosophies Ethics Utilitarianism, Kant's categorical imperative, virtue ethics, and Confucianism One of the most intuitive ethical philosophies is that of utilitarianism, an ethical ideal that suggests that ethical decisions should be made based upon what decisions will achieve the greatest good for the greatest number of people. When we weigh decisions based upon their costs and benefits, we are taking a kind of utilitarian approach to decision-making (Ethics 5: Utilitarianism, 2008).