Kantianism

153). In essence, utilitarianism is maximizing everyone’s happiness, which can almost be considered a universal acceptance (Boylan, 2009, p. 154). Jeremy Bentham is one of the proponents of modern utilitarianism and states, “nature has placed mankind under the governance of two sovereign masters, pain and pleasure” (Boylan, 2009, p. 154). In business utilitarianism shares the nonmoral views that the best decision that had no moral conflict would be to maximize profit, which would be the greatest good of the company and its employees (Boylan, 2009, p. 162). Utilitarianism does not always hold true in some minds. Utilitarianism does not take into account motives of the people (Boylan, 2009, p. 165). “If one acts in accord with the general principle and its corollaries, then one is moral” (Boylan, 2009, p. 165).

“If the action would be good solely as a means to something else it is hypothetical. If the action is represented as good in itself and therefore as necessary for a will which of itself accords with reason, then the imperative is categorical”. Kant

Kant explains that a plausible motivation could be either desire or fear of consequences, and these would be hypothetical imperatives. Hypothetical imperatives are when rational beings use means in order to achieve an end. Categorical imperatives, however, are ends in of itself. He says that actions are only good if they are carried out "just because," which would be a categorical imperative. However, he argues that actions are usually not assumed for the sake of duty alone but because of some self-interest, which forces them to act out that action where they wouldn't have otherwise. This is evident when Kant states that "in fact,

Universalism demands every human being to have basic rights and there are three pillars of universalism. These human rights theories have originated from multiple different theorists. Natural law is one of the three pillars of universalism that will be discussed in the course of this essay. Thomas Aquinas was a philosopher who expanded on the philosophy of natural law. He believed in the concept of religion and morality, and presumed that natural law was derived because of the commandments of God. Furthermore, the objective of this essay will be to explain natural law and why I disagree with the theory.

With study, we begin to comprehend the profound implications of each law; we become more and more conscious of the power of our intentionality and of our minds; more and more conscious of the unwavering influence of our thoughts, emotions and beliefs on our experience.

Kant identified two types of hypothetical imperatives, ‘technical’ and ‘assertoric’. Technical imperatives are desires that may or may not be shared by others, the desire varies between individuals. Moreover, assertoric imperatives are desires that are shared by the majority of people. Consequently, assertoric imperatives are often assumed although they are not as common as often believed. Contrastingly, categorical imperatives are not founded on desires. Categorical imperatives apply in whatever situation, and is more based on moral principles, such as being truthful regardless of ones own desires. Therefore, Kant stated that categorical imperatives are established by reasoned duties, hence why he referred to it as pure practical

Like philosopher Immanuel Kant, Utilitarians agreed that a moral theory should apply equally to everyone. Yet, Utilitarians thought moral theory would be better grounded in something that’s natural. Therefore, Mill sees nothing more instinctual than primal desires of pleasure, or happiness, and to elude pain. In the fourth chapter of Utilitarianism, Mill offers the greatest-happiness principle as logical support to

Although, the Formula of Universal Law can be essential when guiding someone’s purpose of actions, it can yield contradiction when applied universally. When someone lies to get what he or she wants, it is irrational and contradictory. For instance, if a person asks for a loan of money and promises to pay it back, but has a pattern of not paying money back, then this action is a lie. Therefore, the rational decision would be to deny giving the person the money because more than likely he or she will not pay the money

According to Kant, imperatives are principles determining what individuals should do. These imperatives may be divided as those which are categorical, and those which are hypothetical; the former expresses imperatives that are those

In order to understand the distinction between hypothetical imperatives, and categorical imperatives, it makes sense to first understand what an imperative

An imperative can be described as either a requirement or an order such as an assistant manager being told to take inventory or being told by a personal trainer to do fifty squats. All imperatives, no matter what it is, can either be hypothetical or categorical. A hypothetical imperative would be defining an action to be good if there is “a means to do something else”. (Landau-Kant 93) An example of a hypothetical imperative would be to do an action in order to achieve a specific result. On the other hand, if an action itself is considered good and has no reason towards it, then it would be a categorical imperative. A categorical imperative would be doing a specific action because one is told to do so without any desire or happiness as a result. (Landau-Kant 93) In addition, both hypothetical and categorical imperatives are a part of what is known as maxims. In order for an action to be considered a hypothetical or categorical imperative, the action would be based on reason rather than out of desire. This is known as maxims. In this essay, Kant’s Categorical Imperative will be described in Kant’s point of view along with an objection and defense towards Kant’s categorical imperative theory.

Having argued for the view that hypothetical imperatives are wrong, I now wish to consider rival views. The other imperative that Kant talks about is the categorical imperative; wish is known to be the right one. “Categorical, or unqualified, imperatives are the right kind of imperatives, because they show proper recognition of the imperial status of moral obligation” (pg. 128). Kant named it, categorical imperatives (CI), which according to Kant is a strategy for control of morality in any course of movement. The CI consists of a couple steps that I will explain below:

The first law being that man is inherently peaceful. In order to examine natural laws, one must observe man prior to the constraints of society. From the beginning, man must have needed a vessels to know, before having the ability to understand. Hence, man would have first been consumed with preservation of his or her own life. Only once the basic needs of human life are satisfied, then man can start to observe their inequalities; “he would think of the preservation of his being, before he would investigate its origin” (20). Fear of

(Cohen, 2001) To further explain, universal human principles are an accepted or acknowledged regulation of behavior and this principle is common around the universal society. Utilitarianism considers a behavior, ethical if it results in the greatest good for the greatest number. Categorical imperative which asks whether a universal law can people made from the behavior. Justice refers to treating everyone equally. This concept connected to moral competence, since application of universal human principles is one of the stages of moral competence. At this stage we determine how to apply principles of utilitarianism, the categorical imperative, right theory and justice in our behavior, personal goals as well as values. Thus, universal human principles is connected to mental capacity and moral competence, due to it is the second stage of moral competence.

The aim then of Utilitarian ethics is to increase happiness, and one of the central notions which leads to