Kantian ethics are what define
us as persons. Kant believes that we should never undermine your own or anyone
else’s rationality or autonomy. You should promote your own and other people’s
rationality and autonomy. Acting morally not only entails doing the right thing
but also doing it for the right reason. Kant also believes that the intentions
behind an action is what determines whether it is ethical, not the consequence
of the action. Utilitarianism is the principle of utility, meaning the “The
Greatest Happiness.” Actions are right to the extent that they promote
happiness and wrong to the extent that they promote happiness. We should
experience the pleasure and the absence of pain. Utilitarianism is also the way
we should consider the consequences for everyone who is affected by an action
and weigh them equally. You should never feel that your happiness is greater
than the happiness of others. Everyone is equal.
I feel that the theory Kantian ethics are much more plausible because
I believe that acting morally not only entails doing the right thing but for
the right reasons. To me it just makes more sense to do something good for the
right reason. I feel most want to do things for the happiness of others and
feeling good themselves as well. This makes you a rational person. You are doing
it to be morally rational. It will make you a better person if you do the right
thing and I feel that by doing it for the right reasons people will be happier
within themselves. This will also help self-perfection. We are able to find
happiness within ourselves because when we help one another it grants us to be
a better person.
The Barbara Theory
All acts that promote happiness are morally good.
All acts that are self-sacrificing promote happiness.
Therefore all acts of self-sacrificing are morally good.
All acts that are self-sacrificing promote happiness.
Therefore all acts of self-sacrificing are morally good.
This is good, I like how you get into detail about Kantian Ethics and why you think it is more plausible than Utilitarianism. Maybe you can add some sentences describing what Utilitarianism is and how people tend to follow/live by it. What if people have good intentions to better themselves rather than having good intentions to better the community? Your Barbara is clear and to the point.
ReplyDeleteAlthough you come up with great reasoning as to why Kantian ethics are more reasonable than Utilitarianism I have to disagree. There are many scenarios where a person is doing something good that benefits not only themselves, but a great deal of other people where their intentions may not be good. You have to take into consideration that we are human beings and no matter how much each of us wishes every action we make has some morality to back it up, this is just not logical thinking. Other than that I enjoyed you're response and seeing a different view than mine.
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