The Differences between Utilitarianism and Kantian Deontology - Assignment Example

Ethics and Environment Submitted by: XXXXXX XXXXXXXX Number: XXXXXXXX of Derby XXXXX XXXXXX Programme XXXXXXXXX Subject: XXXXXXXX Subject Code: XXXXXXXX Date of Submission: XX – XX – 2009 Question 1: Discuss the differences and similarities between the following ethical theories: Utilitarianism and Kantian Deontology Solution: Utilitarianism and Kantian Deontology share one thing in common, i.e. they are both aimed to provide solutions to moral dilemmas. Utilitarianism is more of morality of justice and it focuses more on maximising the utility or ensuring that most numbers of persons are satisfied and happy with the result that is taken up. This is relatively much better than the Kantian Deontology or any other deontology approach as this takes into consideration the importance of satisfying people and tries to build a foundation with complete justice. This method (utilitarianism) takes every body to be equal and it looks for a solution which is for the benefit of more number of people. This was developed by Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill in the 19th century. The main focus of this is to provide higher amounts of happiness to all. This has been defined as “Ethics concept in which the happiness of the greatest number of people in the society is considered the greatest good. According to this philosophy, an action is morally right if its consequences lead to happiness (absence of pain), and wrong if it ends in unhappiness (pain). And since the link between actions and their happy or unhappy outcomes depends on the circumstances, no moral principle is absolute or necessary in itself” (Business Dictionary, 2009). Kantian Deontology on the other hand has a very different approach towards the moral decisions. This is better referred to as the duty based ethics. This has been defined as: “The ethical study of morals, duties and rights with an approach that focuses on the rightness or wrongness of actions themselves, as opposed to the rightness or wrongness of the consequences of those actions” (Allwords, 2009). This approach is based on the fact that humans have a duty and it is to act in certain ways irrespective of the happiness that it produces also irrespective of any other consequences. Both these have tried to bring about and develop the ethics of care and both these are relatively rational in their moral epistemologies. Both the theories are simple and rely on the universal truths. Both these also take into consideration that the concept of person is more individualistic and independent. Both these methods are vest suited to solve the issues of the public life and public matters rather than personal and family issues and any issues if friendship. Also both these are concerned with the issues such as justice (Held, 2006). Also these aim at providing people with an equitable solution which is ethical and moral and recognition of individual rights and focus on providing the justice and complete fairness, equally. Question 2: Apply the concepts of Utilitarianism and Kantian Deontology to explain the arguments for and against the construction of a new dam which will involve moving people from their homes. Solution: Construction of a dam is a decision which has negative as well as a number of positives. While construction of a dam it is essential to also take into account that the decision taken will affect the lives of many people living in and around the area and will also lead to a number of issues of non compliance as well. Considering that the dam is built, a large area would need to be cleared out and this would mean that a number of houses would need to be evacuated and people would need to be shifted out of their homes into new accommodations. This is an ethical step that is taken by the builders, however it is essential to understand that the change is not an easy thing for everyone and asking people to move out of their own homes is not very easy. Thus it is sure that a number of disapprovals will be present along with the chances of people not being ready to leave their homes. However considering this based on the utilitarianism and deontology, this is a relatively moral and ethical decision being made. Firstly, because the decision of building a dam is for the collective good of all people this is ethical and as per the utilitarianism theory, it would bring about joy in the lives of many. The number of people who receive a higher amount of gain from this is much higher than the number of people who would need to leave their homes. This would be considered to be completely ethical and moral if the builders provide the people living in the area with better replacements and proper solutions for the homes as well. Also it is essential to understand that change is not simple and the builders need to ensure that all queries of the residents are dealt with care and understanding. Also a good response should be provided to the residents as well. However considering the negative aspects of building dams it can be noted that there are number issues where the dams built are illegal and not built for the ethical reasons. In a number of cases the dams a re built for the financial gains of the builders with no consideration of the people living in and around the areas. In cases of these kinds, the decision would not be considered to be ethical and moral as the number of people who gain and benefit from this will be only the builders. Although the others will be compensated with new homes the level of happiness and utility that they would receive is not compared to the amount they are required to lose out. Apart from the people living in the area it is also noted that the building of a dam could lead to the entire area being put into jeopardy and the possibility of the area surrounding the dam to be able to accommodate any possible habitats. Thus the construction of a dam could mean to possibilities, being completely ethical and moral if the intentions of the builder are good and the dam is built in compliance with all the laws and regulations. On the other hand it could be completely against the utilitarianism and deontology theories in cases where the builders use the dam to be a cover up or unnecessarily build the dams. Question 3: Argue for or against the notion of global warming. “The phrase global warming refers to the documented historical warming of the Earths surface based upon worldwide temperature records that have been maintained by humans since the 1880s. The term global warming is often used synonymously with the term climate change, but the two terms have distinct meanings. Global warming is the combined result of anthropogenic (human-caused) emissions of greenhouse gases and changes in solar irradiance, while climate change refers to any change in the state of the climate that can be identified by changes in the average and/or the variability of its properties (e.g., temperature, precipitation), and that persists for an extended period, typically decades or longer” (EO Earth, 2009). Global warming is a very serious issue and it is essential that every individual understands how unethical and morally incorrect it is for each of us to be irresponsible in our daily lives. As understood from the above explanation it is seen that global warming is a situation due to the human caused emission. Considering this issue on a utilitarianism and deontology basis it is the responsibility of each individual in the world to ensure that there is no wastages “In order to attempt to answer why the Earth is currently warming, scientists have conducted accountings of each of the fluxes of heat into (warming) and out of (cooling) the Earths climate system. Since the measured data show that annual average temperatures of the Earth have been increasing in recent decades, the year-to-year annual flux of heat into the climate system must be greater than the annual flux of heat out of the system. By accounting for each of the fluxes of heat into and out of the system, scientists are able to assess which fluxes and processes are contributing to net annual warming of the Earths surface. By conducting such accountings, scientists are able to quantify the influence that each natural and human factor has in altering the balance of incoming and outgoing energy in the Earth-atmosphere system and can calculate an index of the importance of each of the factor as a potential climate change mechanism. Each of the factors are called climate drivers and the relative impact or index of each factors importance to climate change is called its radiative forcing” (Nodvin, 2009). If this is to be noted as an ethical issue then it is clear that the global warming is a sign of irresponsible behaviour from each person and this is the effect of doing something which is not right and people being unreasonable without considering others around themselves. The global warming is a sign of people being completely immoral and unethical and not showing any kind of consideration for the surrounding people or the environment. Thus the increase in the global warming every single day highlights the need for some kind of steps to be taken by the every individual to do the right thing and to be ethical and more considerate for their surrounding and the people living around them and across the world as well. Question 4: Discuss whether nuclear power is a viable solution for the worlds energy needs. Compare the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power with other possible solutions. According to the Greenpeace co – founder Patrick Moore, "theres no question that nuclear power is the most climate-friendly industrial-scale energy source" (Walsh, 2008). Nuclear energy has always lead to different reactions like some awe, others fear, because of the association of the terms like radiations and nukes, which are generally spoken about. It has been noted that almost 19% of the electricity that has been derived in the US is from the nuclear energy (Alternative Energy, 2008). “Nuclear energy is one of the least air-polluting alternative sources of energy. Less land is required to set up nuclear plants, and the fission of an atom of uranium produces 10 million times the energy produced by the combustion of an atom of carbon from coal” (Alternative Energy, 2008). It can be noted that nuclear power does have its advantages and disadvantages. The major disadvantage of the use of nuclear power is the radio – active waste that is produced during the use of nuclear energy. This is relatively much higher that produced with the use of other sources of power and energy. The amount of carbon – di – oxide that is also emitted out in the air is very high and thus this is relatively a much better option for a source of energy as well. It is safe to say that nuclear industry cannot compete in the markets by itself and requires continuing receiving the billions that it does in terms of subsidies. Also it can be noted that ethically it is relatively much better to use the nuclear power than any other source of energy as this is one of the best and most useful with the least amounts of harmful energies being emitted and to a great extent plays a very important role in the scientific field as well. However in the possible future there might be a number of other possible sources of energy that can be used to alternate the nuclear sources at much lower costs and better solutions. It is however also been clear that no source of energy can be dismissed at any point as it could be useful in many other ways in different situations. Thus it is safe to say that nuclear energy is a good option to be used in comparison of all the other sources and will continue to prove to be beneficial for years to come as well. Bibliography Allwords, 2009, ‘Deontology’, Accessed on 31st July 2009, Retrieved from http://www.allwords.com/word-deontology.html Alternative Energy, 2008, ‘Is nuclear energy a viable solution?’, 10th May 2008, Accessed on 29th July 2009, Retrieved from http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/nuclear-energy-solution/ Business Dictionary, 2009, ‘Utilitarianism’, Accessed on 01st August 2009, Retrieved from http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/utilitarianism.html EO Earth, 2009, ‘Global warming’, 2nd February 2009, Accessed on 2nd August 2009, Retrieved from http://www.eoearth.org/article/Global_warming?gclid=CI2Epou7hJwCFdgtpAod-G1Z_Q Held, V, 2006, ‘The Ethics of Care’, Oxford University Press, New York Nodvin, Stephen C. (Lead Author); Kevin Vranes (Topic Editor). 2009. "Global warming." In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth March 14, 2007; Last revised February 2, 2009; Retrieved August 1, 2009]. Walsh 2008, ‘Is Nuclear power viable?’, 6th June 2006, Accessed on 1st July 2009, Retrieved from http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1812540,00.html Read More