Deontological ethics

In this paper I will be discussing two opposing views on whether or not we, as people, possess moral responsibilities. The foundation of each view is rooted in the disposition of whether or not free will is a fact or a myth. I will begin with Hume’s stance, a sentimentalist stance, on moral responsibilities, going off of A Treatise of Human Nature, Book III: “Of Morals”. I present the claim that our relationship with other people is the foundation of moral responsibility. I will then present…

The philosophy of Rationalism believes that a person should engage in some form of systematic mental activity so that they can attain knowledge. The Rationalists proposed the theory of the active mind, meaning a mind that uses knowledge provided by the senses and then gives it explanations and significance. The active mind adds information to facts given by the senses. Highlighted theories by the rationalists were innate structures and an active mind. Rationalist focused more on reason and…

To be honest, there are probably more reasons against Animal testing than reasons that justify it. Equality has gone from a right that we fight for, to just another hipster thing to do. The central reason is mainly a plea to ethics. They’re not just empty words either; PETA exposes all around reveal the injustices they live through each day. The videos are graphic and traumatizing; nearly every account describes animals subjected to painful experiments without anesthetic, often suffering…

Question: Can we distinguish between using a person as an end in itself from using a person as a means to an end? Main Position: Yes, we can distinguish between using a person as an end in itself and using a person as a means to an end. (First level of reasoning) Main Reason 1 According to Kant, morality should be based on categorical imperative. Main Reason 2 The focus on intentions to see if an action is moral or not. Main Raison 3 Rejection of the consequentialist theories…

The word pragmatic is defined as dealing with things sensibly and realistically in a way that is based on practical rather than theoretical considerations1. Pragmatism does not equate to acquiescence. Acquiescence implies giving up or accepting the circumstances as being beyond control. Nor does it suggest following the path of least resistance. The definition of pragmatic serves as a sound philosophy for a public historian. The focus is not on ruling out what cannot be accomplished, rather…

Partner one, Brian Burkhalter. discussed how his least like moral theory was the Kantian Moral Theory due to its practical flaws. His whole argument was on a basis that we have to have consequences for the people to be morally good. I disagree. I think the standard for humans is just very low. The duty of humanity now is based on consequences like jail, contracts, or the enforcement of taxes which does not comply with Kant’s theory. Kantian Moral Theory depends on the whether or not you have…

Nietzsche claims that “the falseness of a judgement is not necessarily an objection to a judgement.” By this he means that the value of a judgement should be defined not by its truthfulness, but rather by “how far it is life-promoting, life-preserving”. Nietzsche argues that the philosopher’s supposedly disinterested quest for truth is actually a self-serving enterprise, and what philosophers assert to be truths are actually their own “prejudices” and “irrefutable errors”. One such prejudice is…

position of Kantian scholars, both formalists and non-formalists which we will intensively examine in this section. However, I do not intend to address whether formalism or non-formalist are espoused in the appropriate scholarship that addresses Kant’s ethics since as noted in Chapter One, Kant introduced both non-formal and formal elements in his writing. Nor do I intend to identify which of these two positions more accurately explicates Kant’s work since doing so would unnecessarily prefer one…

In this essay, I contend that the inherent value of human integrity supersedes the moral obligation purported by Singer. Therefore, while I believe it to be morally acceptable for one to do within one’s capabilities to avert the occurrence of something bad, provided it does not involve “sacrificing anything of comparable moral importance” (Singer, 1971), it should not the singly permissible action an agent is allowed, as Singer argues should be the case in the drowning child analogy. I am of the…

Mill diminishes God to a tactic towards completion of joy. This conflicts with scripture regarding God’s concern about the joy of his creation. God knows the most ideal approach for humankind to be happy. I would contend that it isn't through the ethics of Mill. It is through an authentic connection with God, created by the sacrifice of Jesus, and allowed by the action of the Holy Spirit. It is simply the day by day demonstration of denying desires of the flesh and following the path of Jesus.…