Utilitarianism vs. Kantianism
ABSTRACT
Utilitarianism is a normative ethical theory originally established by Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill that advocates brining about good consequences or happiness to all concerned. Kantianism is the philosophy of Immanuel Kant. Kantianism is another famous rule of the nonconsequentialist theory. Kant’s theory contains several ethical principles. These principles are the good will, establishing morality by reasoning alone, categorical imperative, duty rather than inclination, and summary and illustration. There are many strengths and weaknesses to both utilitarianism and Kantianism. Both utilitarianism and Kantianism provide people with a moral structure, from which moral decisions are made. Keywords: utilitarianism, Kantianism, strengths, weaknesses, moral structure
Utilitarianism vs. Kantianism According to Thiroux and Krasemann (2012), utilitarianism is, “a normative ethical theory originally established by Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill that advocates brining about good consequences or happiness to all concerned” (pp. 451). Kantianism is the philosophy of Immanuel Kant. Kantianism is another famous rule of the nonconsequentialist theory. Kant’s theory contains several ethical principles. These principles are the good will, establishing morality by reasoning alone, categorical imperative, duty rather than inclination, and summary and illustration . There are many similarities and differences associated with utilitarianism and Kantianism. There are many strengths and weakness to utilitarianism. One strength of utilitarianism is it is straightforward and is based on the single principle if minimizing pain and maximizing pleasure and happiness. This is a system that aims to create a happier life for all individuals in a situation. Utilitarianism demonstrates fairness and has the desire to benefit the majority of people. It is the moral side of democracy meaning that if healthcare systems are put into
Utilitarianism is a normative ethical theory originally established by Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill that advocates brining about good consequences or happiness to all concerned. Kantianism is the philosophy of Immanuel Kant. Kantianism is another famous rule of the nonconsequentialist theory. Kant’s theory contains several ethical principles. These principles are the good will, establishing morality by reasoning alone, categorical imperative, duty rather than inclination, and summary and illustration. There are many strengths and weaknesses to both utilitarianism and Kantianism. Both utilitarianism and Kantianism provide people with a moral structure, from which moral decisions are made. Keywords: utilitarianism, Kantianism, strengths, weaknesses, moral structure
Utilitarianism vs. Kantianism According to Thiroux and Krasemann (2012), utilitarianism is, “a normative ethical theory originally established by Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill that advocates brining about good consequences or happiness to all concerned” (pp. 451). Kantianism is the philosophy of Immanuel Kant. Kantianism is another famous rule of the nonconsequentialist theory. Kant’s theory contains several ethical principles. These principles are the good will, establishing morality by reasoning alone, categorical imperative, duty rather than inclination, and summary and illustration . There are many similarities and differences associated with utilitarianism and Kantianism. There are many strengths and weakness to utilitarianism. One strength of utilitarianism is it is straightforward and is based on the single principle if minimizing pain and maximizing pleasure and happiness. This is a system that aims to create a happier life for all individuals in a situation. Utilitarianism demonstrates fairness and has the desire to benefit the majority of people. It is the moral side of democracy meaning that if healthcare systems are put into
References: Kantianism. (2005, July 25). Retrieved from Wikipedia: www.wikipedia.org Polly, J. (2009, November 6). Strenths and Weaknesses Kant. Retrieved from philosophical investigations: http://www.philosophicalinvestigations.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=210&catid=42&Itemid=54 Thiroux, J. P., & Krasemann, K. W. (2012). Ethics: Theory and Practice 11th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Tsitsi, T. (2013, March). Utilitarianism. Retrieved from SlideShare: http://www.slideshare.net/aquinas_rs/strengths-of-utilitarianism