Utilitarian or Formalist Reasoning

Homework Pages 70: 1a, 2a; 136: 9a,b,c

Schnae Camarillo

DeVry University Online

Submitted to Professor, Randolph

October 30, 2012

1.a. Was Feuerstein employing utilitarian or formalist reasoning? Explain.

I believe Feuerstein employed formalist reasoning because he did what was morally right to him no matter the consequences. “Feuerstein said that keeping all of the workers through the rebuilding process was “the right thing to do and there’s a moral imperative to do it, irrespective of the consequences” (McAdams 69). According to Kant “The moral person is a person of goodwill, and that person renders ethical decisions based on what is right, regardless of the consequences of the decision. Moral worth springs from one’s decision to discharge one’s duty” (McAdams 67). Feuerstein did just that he kept to his moral upbringing resorting back to what he was taught in his religion and bringing it into the workplace. Even out of the 3,100 employees 85 percent went back to work and the other 400 remaining who couldn’t work at the time still got paid. “You are not permitted to oppress the workingman because he is poor and needy (McAdams 69).” Holding on to that scripture from his childhood he did just that even if the people weren’t physically able to work for their money due to the situation he still provided for them. After all it wasn’t their fault this happen to the company. Even though doing this and the cost of all the damages were $300 million Aaron believed that in the end it would be all worth it and pay off so it wasn’t that big of an issue. He believed his actions were much greater than the consequences of it and for that I do believe he’s a hero!

2.a. Was Useem expressing formalist or utilitarian reasoning?

I want to say that Useem was expressing utilitarian reasoning: Rule- utilitarian. Rule-utilitarianism requires us to follow those rules that generate the greatest...