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Zoe
13/12/2025
Religious Studies
Kantian ethics / utilitarianism
193
•
13 Dec 2025
•
Zoe
@zoe_b8
Ethics might seem like abstract philosophy, but these theories actually... Show more
Ever wondered if some actions are just always wrong, no matter what? Kant's deontological theory says yes - morality is about doing your duty, regardless of the consequences.
Kant believed we can use reason to work out universal moral rules called categorical imperatives. These aren't suggestions - they're absolute commands that apply to everyone, everywhere, all the time. Think "you must always tell the truth" rather than "you should tell the truth if it helps you."
The famous axe man dilemma shows how rigid this gets. If a murderer asks where your friend is hiding, Kant says you must tell the truth because lying can't become a universal law. Harsh? Definitely. But Kant argues that good will - doing the right thing simply because it's your duty - is the only truly moral motivation.
Kant's three formulations help us identify these duties: can everyone do this action (universalisability), are you treating people with respect rather than using them (treating people as ends), and would this work in a perfect moral world (kingdom of ends)?
Key Point: For Kant, your intentions matter more than outcomes. A shopkeeper who's honest only for profit isn't being moral - you must act from duty, not just in accordance with it.
The theory needs three postulates to work: free will (so we can choose), an afterlife (where virtue gets rewarded), and God (to ensure justice). Without these, Kant's system falls apart.
Forget rigid rules - utilitarianism is all about results. This consequentialist theory judges actions purely on their outcomes: does it create "the greatest happiness for the greatest number"?
Bentham's act utilitarianism treats every situation individually. Before acting, you'd use his hedonic calculus - weighing up seven factors like intensity, duration, and certainty of pleasure or pain. Sounds logical, but imagine trying to calculate whether to help your mate cheat on an exam using mathematical formulas about happiness!
J.S. Mill thought Bentham's approach was too crude. His rule utilitarianism distinguishes between higher pleasures (studying, art, intellectual pursuits) and lower pleasures (eating, drinking, physical satisfaction). "It's better to be a human dissatisfied than a pig satisfied" - basically, quality beats quantity.
Mill's approach is more practical - follow rules that generally produce the best outcomes rather than calculating each decision. But it's also pretty elitist. Who decides that classical music is "higher" than football? Mill's upper-class background definitely shows here.
Key Point: The naturalistic fallacy challenges both versions - just because we naturally seek pleasure doesn't mean pleasure equals good. Plus, preference utilitarianism (Singer) focuses on satisfying desires rather than just maximising happiness.
Both theories face major criticism: Kant's system seems too rigid for real life, while utilitarianism could justify horrible acts if they benefit the majority. The debate continues!
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Zoe
@zoe_b8
Ethics might seem like abstract philosophy, but these theories actually shape how we make real decisions every day. Two major approaches - Kant's duty-based ethics and utilitarianism's focus on consequences - offer completely different ways to work out what's right... Show more
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Ever wondered if some actions are just always wrong, no matter what? Kant's deontological theory says yes - morality is about doing your duty, regardless of the consequences.
Kant believed we can use reason to work out universal moral rules called categorical imperatives. These aren't suggestions - they're absolute commands that apply to everyone, everywhere, all the time. Think "you must always tell the truth" rather than "you should tell the truth if it helps you."
The famous axe man dilemma shows how rigid this gets. If a murderer asks where your friend is hiding, Kant says you must tell the truth because lying can't become a universal law. Harsh? Definitely. But Kant argues that good will - doing the right thing simply because it's your duty - is the only truly moral motivation.
Kant's three formulations help us identify these duties: can everyone do this action (universalisability), are you treating people with respect rather than using them (treating people as ends), and would this work in a perfect moral world (kingdom of ends)?
Key Point: For Kant, your intentions matter more than outcomes. A shopkeeper who's honest only for profit isn't being moral - you must act from duty, not just in accordance with it.
The theory needs three postulates to work: free will (so we can choose), an afterlife (where virtue gets rewarded), and God (to ensure justice). Without these, Kant's system falls apart.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Forget rigid rules - utilitarianism is all about results. This consequentialist theory judges actions purely on their outcomes: does it create "the greatest happiness for the greatest number"?
Bentham's act utilitarianism treats every situation individually. Before acting, you'd use his hedonic calculus - weighing up seven factors like intensity, duration, and certainty of pleasure or pain. Sounds logical, but imagine trying to calculate whether to help your mate cheat on an exam using mathematical formulas about happiness!
J.S. Mill thought Bentham's approach was too crude. His rule utilitarianism distinguishes between higher pleasures (studying, art, intellectual pursuits) and lower pleasures (eating, drinking, physical satisfaction). "It's better to be a human dissatisfied than a pig satisfied" - basically, quality beats quantity.
Mill's approach is more practical - follow rules that generally produce the best outcomes rather than calculating each decision. But it's also pretty elitist. Who decides that classical music is "higher" than football? Mill's upper-class background definitely shows here.
Key Point: The naturalistic fallacy challenges both versions - just because we naturally seek pleasure doesn't mean pleasure equals good. Plus, preference utilitarianism (Singer) focuses on satisfying desires rather than just maximising happiness.
Both theories face major criticism: Kant's system seems too rigid for real life, while utilitarianism could justify horrible acts if they benefit the majority. The debate continues!
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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Explore key concepts in business ethics, including utilitarianism, Kantian ethics, and Christian ethics. This summary covers the implications of ethical decision-making in business practices, stakeholder relationships, and the balance between profit and sustainability. Ideal for A-Level Religious Studies students seeking to understand moral philosophy in a business context.
Religious StudiesDive into the complexities of utilitarianism with this comprehensive overview of key concepts including act and rule utilitarianism, hedonism, and the moral implications of happiness distribution. This resource is essential for AQA A Level Philosophy students seeking to understand the nuances of moral philosophy and the contributions of thinkers like Bentham, Mill, and Singer.
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Religious StudiesExplore critical evaluations of Kantian ethics, focusing on its absolutist nature, the role of duty, and its applicability in moral decision-making. This summary addresses key concepts such as the categorical imperative, human dignity, and the challenges of conflicting duties. Ideal for students studying moral philosophy and deontological ethics.
Religious StudiesApp Store
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Sociology