Ethics might seem like abstract philosophy, but these theories actually...
Religious Studies250 views·Updated 31 Aug 2026·2 pagesExploring Kantian Ethics and Utilitarianism
Zoe@zoe_b8
1
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Kantian Ethics
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.
2
of 2
Utilitarianism
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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Religious Studies250 views·Updated 31 Aug 2026·2 pagesExploring Kantian Ethics and Utilitarianism
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...
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Kantian Ethics
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.
2
of 2Sign up to see the content. It's free!
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Utilitarianism
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.
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