Kant philosophy has contributed in development of "pure" moral philosophy‚ a "metaphysics of morals" that is based on the concepts of reason‚ not on empirical observations. According to his philosophy moral obligations are applicable to all human beings as it applies not only for particular person in particular situation‚ but also to all rational beings in all circumstances. The principle of humanity is not borrowed from experience as this is a universal principle and this applies to all rational
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with morals and politics. Human nature is the basic substance shared by human beings‚ and is thus important in making sense of society and all its complexities along with the individual man and his liberties. Two prominent philosophers‚ Rousseau and Kant‚ express conjectures on human nature in their essays. Rousseau focuses on man in the untainted state of nature. He believes that the lack of knowledge and morality in savage man is better than the evils resulting from social inequalities‚ insisting
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the link below the excerpt. Ethics Theories- Utilitarianism Vs. Deontological Ethics There are two major ethics theories that attempt to specify and justify moral rules and principles: utilitarianism and deontological ethics. Utilitarianism (also called consequentialism) is a moral theory developed and refined in the modern world in the writings of Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) and John Stuart Mill (1806-1873). There are several varieties of utilitarianism. But basically‚ a utilitarian approach to morality
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future or the successful outcome of something” This is the cry of the enlightenment period. This was the hope that Kant and Voltaire so strongly desired for the future. Optimism is something that most people think that they have‚ but very few actually acquire. Optimism not only requires hope‚ but it requires action. The enlightenment period was a precursor to the revolution. Immanuel Kant believed that all men‚ if they have the freedom to think‚ can create a true reform in all of society. Why did he
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and a meaningful exercise in self-expression. Others contend that we should vote in pursuit of a democratic ideal‚ and still others argue that we should vote out of respect for those who have defended our rights. As a consequentialist theory‚ utilitarianism is utterly unconcerned with these principle-oriented arguments. Utilitarians are concerned only with maximizing total social utility‚ or the overall well-being of society. Thus‚ utilitarians would assert
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above case‚ we are going to face a dilemma between risking our life to save our colleague or to abandon them in order to save ourselves. This essay will argue that we should abandon our injured colleague and save ourselves base on the concept of utilitarianism‚ which is always choose whatever action or social policy would have the best consequence for everyone concerned‚ self-interest in Mohism and also the uncertainty about consequences in Kantianism. This will be asserted by explaining two main reasons
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Retributivism and utilitarianism are two opposing ways of approaching punishment. The retributive view of punishment is backward-looking‚ while the utilitarian view is forward-looking. Retributivism pays more attention to the crime itself and what amends need to be made. Typically this results in harsher punishments. Immanuel Kant and Michael Davis both advocate for this system in their articles. However‚ they purposefully disregard how a punishment could affect society. For example‚ punishments
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The great 18th century German philosopher Immanuel Kant believed that no type of lying was okay‚ but this is the 21st century‚ where beliefs and ideas are progressing. One’s thoughts‚ actions‚ and societies day to day lives are different from the one Immanuel Kant lived. People follow along in what happens in society‚ how society acts‚ and how society thinks. If most of society lies‚ why is it not okay if other people lie in certain situations? Lying is justified when it is the moral duty‚ to save
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Utilitarianism assumes that it would be morally correct for me to employ the water boarding technique on this possibly innocent man if it meant obtaining possible anti-terrorist information that could possibly save thousands of innocent Americans. The ‘greatest good for the greatest number’‚ so they say‚ but is torture really the best way to obtain the best consequence? I will use my take on the Just War model and J.J.C Smarts’ suggestion to focus on all consequences of a situation to argue against
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Utilitarianism is a consequentialist theory that aims to maximize total societal utility. Consequently‚ in determining whether or not there is a moral duty to vote‚ utilitarians would factor in everyone interests — this includes those ineligible to vote‚ noncitizens‚ and future people — to arrive at the total utility calculation. Two types of utilitarians exist. 1) Act utilitarians‚ who act to maximize total social utility‚ and 2) Rule utilitarians‚ who advocate acting according to rules that
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