Kant vs Utilitarianism

Kant’s Moral Theory vs. Utilitarianism

Rachel Martin

Rasmussen College

Author Note

This research is being submitted on March 30, 2016 for Andrew Franklin, G153/PHI1520 Section 02 Ethics Around the Globe

Kant’s Moral Theory vs. Utilitarianism

Kantianism and Utilitarianism are two theories that attempt to answer the moral nature of human beings. The underlying idea behind Kantian ethics is that each human being has inherent worth. Immanuel Kant’s moral system is based on a belief that reason is the final authority for morality. Kant’s moral system relied heavily on the idea of the “categorical imperative.”  The categorical imperative was important for Kant because they offer no reasons, qualifications, or conditions; they just tell us what it is we must do or not do. It is easier to determine an action as morally right in Kantian ethics than in utilitarian ethics. John Stuart Mill’s moral system is based on the theory known as utilitarianism, which is based upon utility, or doing what produces the greatest happiness. You may use whatever means or act on any motives are necessary to achieve an end that increases happiness. It doesn’t matter why you did the action, only that the end result is an increase in happiness.

Now with all that being said, which of these theories do I believe is applicable to my day-today life? Since we are talking about me and not humanity as a whole then I would have to say that Kant’s theory is more applicable to my day-to-day life. We live in a world these days where people value your character over behavior. I try always to tell the truth not matter the consequences that I might have to suffer in doing so. At the end of the day I could sit back and know that I did the right thing. When I see a homeless man on the street and he asks for a dollar, I tend to give him that dollar no matter what I think he is going to spend it on. If he spends it on food then that is what he needed, if he spends it on drugs then again that...