Deontological ethics

In the Daodejing, Laozi advocates the idea of wuwei, which literally translates to “nonaction” as it is referred to in the text (Chapter 2, pg. 164). However, this does not imply it is best to do nothing at all, but rather asserts that we should act through nonaction implying in a sense to go along with the course of nature (Chapter 63, pg. 194). As Laozi says, “the Way does nothing yet nothing is left undone” (Chapter 37, pg. 179). Therefore, harmony will come from letting actions come…

theory: “We are morally obligated to act in accordance with a certain set of principles and rules regardless of outcome.” Gordon Gekko pointed out that greed is right and therefore his speech supports immorality. Kant would not agree. Being the deontological philosopher Kant was, he believed in his formula of universal law that one should live according to the law. Egoism is all about self-interest. Gekko’s speech supports their view when saying greed is good. To be selfish and greedy…

Journal Entry #2 Some of the topics discussed today were non-consequentialism/consequentialism and virtue theories. Consequentialism is concerned with only looking at the consequences of an action and non-consequentialism looks at the action itself. Two examples of consquentialism considered were egoism and utilitarianism. An egoist acts in their own self-interest while the utilitarian looks at the maximum number of good for the greatest number of people. In contrast, non-consequentialism…

majority, the child and ultimately John, would benefit in a positive way. David may never get his money back but the child would get their medicine and not suffer. The lack of suffering to the child would benefit John. You can look at utilitarian ethics from David’s standpoint as well. If John didn’t lie to David and told him that he couldn’t promise he could pay him back in that time period or possibly ever, utilitarianism would take the stance that David has the moral obligation to give John…

“Without Contraries is no progression. Attraction and Repulsion, Reason and Energy, Love and Hate, are necessary to Human existence” (“The Marriage of Heaven and Hell”). The duality or contrary aspects of life produce a balance within human nature. These aspects are not just contradictory, they are complementary. To fully understand the dual nature of mankind, William Blake utilized his poetry to compare the divergent forces that are part of all individuals. In his poetic collection the “Songs…

Kant and Aristotle are both philosophers who have different views about the highest human good and morality. Kant believes the only thing perfectly good is the good will (Haber 1993, 61). It is independent of other influences and acts in accordance with duty. The good will is intrinsically good, good without qualification. However, that is not to say everything a human does is done with good will, hence why it is based off duty. One such duty of humans is to secure their own happiness (Haber…

Relative Morality In the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn written by Mark Twain, the author explores the relativity of morality through the main character Huckleberry Finn by placing him in many situations where the difference between right and wrong is difficult to clarify. Through the reactions of Huckleberry in these situations, Twain deeply emphasizes the importance of one’s own moral conscience and also the fact that what one holds to be moral based on their own experiences is most…

To fully understand Kant’s main points of the third chapter, one must begin by understanding his broad ideology. Kant’s overall intent is to sharpen the reader’s appreciation of the amount of effort it takes to think. Kant uses the description of an island which is surrounded by stormy seas. Before the reader may leave this island, the overall image of landscape should be considered. Kant’s use of the island is metaphoric for empirical knowledge. Empirical knowledge is knowledge that is acquired…

This essay will evaluate Immanuel Kant distinction between public and private reason of An Answer To The Question: What Is Enlightenment? In doing so Kant allows readers to comprehend exactly how to world exists based on his point of view. The thesis will regard the comparison between Kant point of view of the world and how the world is currently functioning right now. This essay will address three topics about this subject which includes the public and private reasons of the politics, religion…

Connor Bell Professor Jennifer Matey PHIL 1318 14 November 2017 Kantianism v. Utilitarianism For centuries, philosophers have questioned what makes an action right or wrong. Founder of Kantianism, Immanuel Kant asserts that the moral worth of one’s action is dependent on whether or not one is motivated by duty, while founders of Utilitarianism, Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill claim that an action’s moral worth relies on the amount of happiness it produces, and for how many people. It is…