Kantian Ethics VS. Utilitarianism

Kantian ethics, an ethical theory developed by Emmanuel Kant, are based on the idea that one should act only in ways that promote the rationality and autonomy of others. Utilitarianism, an ethical theory founded by Jeremy Bentham, tells us that we need to promote as much happiness as to as many people as possible. I feel that the more plausible of the two moral theories is definitely Kantian ethics.

 The following may seem irrelevant, but please bear with me for a moment.  I have always believed in Karma in the sense that for every good deed you commit, or every truth you tell, you are rewarded by both the satisfaction of doing the right thing and with the occasional return of a good deed from another person. This concept of Karma relates to Kantian ethics by encouraging us to be honest without undermining the rationality, or possession of reason, of another.  We can preserve one another’s autonomy simply by doing whatever good deed may be presented to us. By helping others whenever we can, we are allowing them to continue as they would have before they were in a state of need, following their own self-determination. 

              Kant claims that acting morally not only entails doing the right thing, but also doing it for the right reasons. Essentially, this means that it would be immoral to “do the right thing” merely in hopes of the good will returning to you. However, if the vast majority applied the characteristics of Kantian ethics to their everyday lives, acting selflessly and assisting others whenever the opportunity arose, one would be able to feel secure with the knowledge that their good will would surely be repaid somewhere down the road

Kantian Ethics

1. All acts of good will are ethical.

2. All selfless acts are acts of good will.

3. Therefore, all selfless acts are ethical.