Morally Good v. Happiness

            Immanuel Kant was a philosopher that developed Kantian Ethics. Kantian Ethics strives to make people live the best they can by promoting self and others rationality and autonomy. Also that every motivation is rational therefore there is no deception or bad intentions behind our actions. This is not true for a Utilitarian. A utilitarian would not act on good intentions, but on what would give the greatest pleasure and happiness for everyone while minimizing pain. The intentions behind the utilitarian view might not always be the right decision morally. The ultimate goal for the Utilitarian is to sacrifice their own happiness for the happiness of others.

            The theory that I believe is more plausible is Kantian Ethics. It makes more sense to act rationally and for the right reasons, rather than maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain. Kant believes that the reason behind a decision should be morally rational. Believing in what you do for the right reasons will make you a better person, and also help in self-perfection. As Kant says, “Act in such a way that you always treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other, never simply as a means but always at the same time as an end”. For an individual: he or she would want to strive for self-perfection and help others achieve their own happiness along the way. It also says that people should not be taken for granted or used. The intentions behind actions should always be in the best interest for everyone, not just you.

 The decisions behind utilitarianism are not always for the right reasons. In the reading about John Stuart Mill’s Utilitarianism the author says, “It is often said that utilitarianism makes men cold and unsympathising: that it chills their moral feelings towards indivuals; that it makes them attend only to the dry and hard consideration of the consequences of the actions, leaving out their moral estimate the personal qualities from which those actions emanate” (13). In the Utilitarian view a person is not thinking about the consequences only the outcome.  The reasons that you do things you do, should be morally good. In the utilitarian view that is not the case. People only need to the think about what will happen in the end. Following this ethical theory would not help you live a successful life. Yes, you are trying to promote your happiness and the happiness of others but the whole process could make someone really selfish or cold. It could also make people successful for the wrong reasons. In the end Kantian ethics is the most plausible because people should follow their good will; which will make one deserving of pleasure and happiness after being morally good. 

 Barbara

All rational actions are ethical

All good wills are rational actions

Therefore all good wills are ethical