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.
Kantian ethics are deontological where the intent matters most and there is a purpose behind every action.
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
control.
Feminism is a social and political movement that began during the Enlightenment in the 18th century which is about changing the way that people see male and female rights, and campaigning for equal ones. There are several historical feminists such as Esther, Lady Godiva, Queen Elizabeth, Catherine the Great, and Joan of Arc, but the first wave of real feminism didn’t come until the French Revolution. It was during this time that Mary Wollstonecraft’s A Vindication of the Rights of Women was published. The first wave of feminism focused on gaining equal political power through suffrage and sexual, economic, and reproductive concerns. However, after the war feminism declined and there was a noticeable divide between feminists after women were pushed to leave the labor force. New feminists focused on improving the traditional roles of mothers and housewives while equality feminists continued to strive for equality outside of the home. The second wave of feminism focused on liberation from the patriarchy and the representation of the female body. Topics such as gender, family, abortion, rape, domestic violence, and sexuality also came to the forefront of feminism. The third wave of feminism is largely characterized by individuality and intersectionality, as feminism previously catered to mostly white, middle-class, heterosexual women. The fourth and current wave of feminism is similar to the third but largely influenced by internet “call-out” culture. Critics of feminism believe that women are already equal or more powerful than men, biological differences determine certain traditional roles, that feminism encourages misandry, or that their god made men and women equal or women to serve men.