Utilitarianism And Kantian Ethics Essay -- essays research papers fc

Utilitarianism and Kantian Ethics     Ethics is one part of philosophy that go out al looks be studied, and like most subjects in philosophy, forget never be viewed the same by everyone. there argon so many cultures that have got so many different beliefs about the way a persons life should be lived out. Things like religion, poverty, and mental health any contribute to our beliefs in ethics. Some people believe that the mental democracy of a person or the motive for that person committing a horror should be factors when sentencing time comes. Others think that no matter the situation, a offense is a crime, and no compassion should be felt for the hangdog. In the studies of philosophy these beliefs are put into two categories utilitarian, witch would give leeway to the guilty depending on the circumstances, and Kantian, were a crime is a crime, no matter the motives involved.       crapper Stuart grind (1808-73) believed in an ethi cal theory known as utilitarianism. There are many formulations of this theory. One which is, "Everyone should act in such a way to bring the largest possibly balance of safe over diabolic for everyone involved." However, good is a relative term. Utilitarians disagreed on what good really is. Mill made a distinction between happiness and sheer sultry amusement. He defines happiness in terms of higher order pleasure (i.e. social enjoyments). In his Utilitarianism (1861), Mill described this principle as follows accord to the Greatest Happiness Principle The ultimate end, end, in reference to and for the pursuit of all other things that are desirable, (whether we are considering our own good or that of other people), is an existence exempt as far as feasible from pain, and is rich in enjoyments. Therefore, based on this statement, three ideas may be identified (1) The goodness of an act may be determined by the consequences of that act. (2) Consequences are determined by the amount of happiness or sorrowfulness caused. (3) A "good" man is one who considers the other mans pleasure (or pain) as equally as his own. Each persons happiness is equally important. Mill believed that a free act is not an undetermined act. It is determined by the free choice of the person performing the act. Either external or inherent forces compel an unfree act. Mill also determined that every ... ...rue to their soul. To have a "healthy personality" one must believe in his decisions.      Everyday people make decisions that affect other people. Weather the decisions are made by weighing the consequences that affect other people or if the decisions are made without debate on who it will hurt is up to each individual. No matter the choice, the basic concept is to choose good over evil to ones best ability. The moral way to make decisions will never be written in stone, even modern fairness is mixed up in the Utilitarian and Kantian beliefs. The law says that a crime is a crime, but in our courts lawyers debate over motives, consequences, and take the field for sympathy for the accused. The debate over whose way is the right way will never be resolved, but man will always want who is right.Word count 1,138Works CitedLavine, T.Z. From Socrates to Sartre the Philosophic Quest new-made York fiddling Books. 1984Wolff, Robert Paul Ten Great Works of Philosophy New York New American Library, 1996Wolff, Robert Paul About Philosophy New Jersey apprentice Hall, 7th Edition, 1998Microsoft Corporation Encarta Encyclopedia 1999