Kant vs Utilitarianism

      In comparing Kantian ethics and utilitarian ethics it becomes clear that both theories have plausible arguments.  However, utilitarianism is the only viable argument for guiding moral judgment and behavior.  Kantian ethics stresses the part of the individual and emphasizes that all people are autonomous and capable of making their own decisions.  Kant’s Categorical Imperative further explains his ideas for moral behavior by essentially restating the Golden Rule, which is to treat others as you want to be treated.  While simple and appealing in message, this idea is much more difficult to apply than utilitarianism.  Utilitarianism includes the Greatest Happiness Principal or considering the greatest good for the greatest number when making difficult moral or ethical decisions.  As harsh as utilitarianism may sound when decisions have to be made that would include the sacrifice of some for the betterment of most, it is the theory that best supports morality and living in a more just society.

     If  eleven people are stranded on an island and a rescue helicopter holds space for only nine with only enough fuel for one trip, it seems that saving nine is a more moral choice than sacrificing eleven.  Or if a classroom teacher has a class with thirty students and two of those students continually misbehave and disrupt the class at the expense of the rest of the class’ instructional time, doesn’t it seem that the looking out for the 28 and finding alternative instruction for the other two is the most sound idea.  Another example is the use of vaccinations.  Is it okay for school- aged children not to be vaccinated against contagious diseases because it goes against one parents’ religion or personal beliefs?  Is it really okay to expose all of those children to dangerous diseases because of the autonomy of one? 

            An utilitarian theory exemplified using the Barbara Method is:

1.     Egalitarian acts are morally good.

2.     Self sacrifices are egalitarian acts.

3.     Therefore, all self sacrifices are morally good.