Comparing Kant And Utilitarianism Theory

This principle is diametrically different from the Utilitarianism theory, where Mill allows someone to die if this sacrifice results in a greater measure of happiness for other people, for example dedicating one's life to save six other lives. For Kant, this situation is unacceptable and there is never an excuse for breaking universal laws. According to Kant, only a categorical imperative is an unconditional order, which leaves us with no choice to change an act if we give up our intentions and our action cannot be considered as accidental, because it is made under the law. However, Kant claims that, “man and generally any rational being exists as an end in himself, not merely as a means to be arbitrarily used by this or that will, but in all …show more content…
After all, it is just laws that describe what is right and fundamentally moral. Rights established by authorities higher than the average person. Let's go back to the question of telling the truth. The law orders "do not lie" and it is a good ban, because if all people did not lie, then human life would be free from the consequences of lying. Therefore, Kant says, “(…)immediately I realize that I may want to lie, but never a universal right to lie; for, according to such a law, there would be virtually no promise, because in vain I would pretend to others that I would do so in the future when they would not believe it anyway, and if they had even made it reckless, they would give me a wet token” (Popkin 67). In order to base our actions on reason and duty and to follow the categorical imperative, people cannot lie because a lie cannot become a universal law. If the lie became a common law, then human relations based on trust and keeping promises would not make sense. Where then lies the problem? Why the attainment of such a state is so difficult? The key word is "everyone". Unfortunately, people are imperfect, and for them always tell the truth, does not lie in their nature. On the other hand, if we think about it, is always telling the truth always a moral procedure, as Kant claims? What to say about the situation when a friend asks if we like her new dress, but in our opinion, the dress is in a terrible color and a bad cut? We know that the truth will hurt your friend and perhaps offend us, but after all the law says, "Do not lie". This is a relatively dull example, but in life, we encounter many more serious situations, when a "lie" would seem justified. For example, a family member unexpectedly becomes seriously ill, the family takes him to the doctor, does medical exams, and finally turns out that he has cancer. Cancer is