Utilitarian and Kantain Ethics - Essay Example

Utilitarian and Kantian Ethical theories have been played a vital role towards developing and shaping the moral foundation of what society implement practices today. Kantian ethics argued on the moral requirement of logic and critical thinking. In essence, utilitarian theory suppresses moral significance of essential elements of basic fundamental of human rights. In utilitarianism, aspects such as happiness or pleasure are repressed since an individual must do good to enhance the overall happiness of society.

This is extremely critical to examine due to the fact that individuals often are shallow and self-centered. Most humans act in a certain manner for their self-preservation and interests. Once an individual acknowledges and comprehends the fact that society as whole benefits and perishes more rather than own self-interests; chaos is eliminated and harmony is achieved. Utilitarianism theories are excellent in moral dilemmas as it enhances the scope of cases that it can manage. One can question this dogmatic approach to this theory.

One cannot deny that it creates a solid foundation of benefitting the society as whole. However, utilitarian ethics ignore the struggles of people living in a micro level. One must acknowledge that minorities are essential part of society as they compromise. A prime example of this could be seen in this example. For instance, a train conductor is letting a bridge down for a train to cross. Suddenly, he sees his girls playing with the gears. Does he save his daughter or does he allow millions of people to be victims of death?

These are crucial decisions that utilitarian ethics fail to answer.Similarly, Kant’s moral theory is not necessarily to focus in consequences necessarily, but rather focusing on an issue that should be done regardless of the burden it creates. The theory automatically assumes that an individual should naturally execute an action regardless of the consequences. An individual should commit to an action even it causes unhappiness and is not logical. This concept is extremely essential base on the fact that humans should not care if their actions are moral as long as they are ethical.

For instance, one cannot blame someone else if they attempt to be nice but instead end up hurting the other individual. One must comprehend that that person had good intentions and meant well. Again, this is vital in the society that we live in because it creates diffusion and a moral viewpoint on conflicts and tensions that occur every day. Moreover, if the outcome that an individual desired was not the end product, then an individual’s decision to act in a certain manner should not affect that particular judgment.

It is quite essential to understand this concept as many decisions made by individual in our society tend to think that a certain approach was no appropriate due to the fact it did not benefit them. For instance, if a person was to give another person a CPR and that individual still passes away, one cannot question the notion of the person’s valiant attempt to save their life. Since Kant’s ethics are absolute, one can seriously question the challenge it poses. For instance, lying is an absolutely forbidden according to Kant’s ethics.

However, can one not lie in life-threatening scenario or to get someone medication that they desperately need and do not possess the adequate resources? Without a doubt, both theories play a critical role in every day decision making of individuals and will continue to impact their experience in life.