Peter Singer. Moral Reasoning - Essay Example

Peter Singer: Moral ReasoningThe analysis of Peter Singer is an interesting comparative analysis of reasoning from different schools of moral thinking. The main thesis of Singer is therefore a critical examination of the moral reasoning based majorly on the utilitarian and deontological theories or moral reasoning. In the determination of the moral standards of policies, values, and other practices, the whole precepts of moral reasoning are applied. Focusing thinking into wrongs and rights make thinking very logical and moral.

According to the Utilitarianism theory, a critical reasoning tend to benefit majority in the sense that a moral act in its right form will tend to promote happiness to as many people as possible. However, in a sharp contrast to Utilitarian theory, the Kant’s theory (also known as the Deontology) argues that an action is made a moral action based on the respect associated to the action by the actor. In this case, and in a generalized sense, the effects of an action cannot be the sure test of the morality of the action, but the respect linked to the action.

According to Singer, this theory does not care about the consequences, whether right or wrong. Kant’s theory has no chance for conditions and qualification of an act, an act has only to be moral if the actor perceives it right. The conclusion by Singer opposes the theory as it ignores consequences of an action. In this case, therefore, the conclusion reached by Singer is not surprising.According to the conclusion of the Utilitarian theory, especially on the ‘truth about torture’, Singer argued that based on the utilitarian calculus, an individual in maximizing happiness of the greatest number of people, should sacrifice themselves for the sake of happiness of many in a manner of utilitarian moral standard.

This conclusion causes the conclusion of Singer to be the way it is.The analysis of the theories of moral reasoning as done by Singer would bring no divergent conclusion from that of Singer. Sometimes, in making other people benefit from your actions, it is morally justified to also try benefiting from your actions. ReferencesAmstutz, M. R. (2013). International ethics: Concepts, theories, and cases in global politics.Singer, P. (2000). Ethics into action: Henry Spira and the animal rights movement.

Lanham, Md: Rowman & Littlefield.