Ethical Issues of Importance
Kant's categorical imperative is the notion that there are some compulsions that are inherently ethical. It means there are some actions and codes of ethics that are ethically defensible in an immutable fashion, regardless of the situation. The best example of a categorical imperative is the proverbial golden rule which states: do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Hypothetical imperatives function as the antithesis of categorical imperatives. They are actions that are ethically defensible based on certain mutable factors such as desire or temporary circumstances. Hypothetical imperatives mean that there are certain situations in which one can engage in behavior deemed ethical, and others in which it is unethical behavior. Selling stock in the stock market is an example of this imperative.
Kant's first formulation is to act only on maxims that one wants to be universal law. It means only do those things you want everyone else to do as well. An example is being polite to others. The second formulation is to treat people as an end and not as the means to an end. This formulation means do not use people. An example is to be respectful to someone working for you -- not just pay them and be rude towards them.
4 Kant's four examples are about suicide, breaking promises and lying, developing one's talents, and helping others. These are examples of behavior that is ethically defensible and that which is not. For example, one should never commit suicide despite a spouse leaving, one should not lie to make money, one should develop one's talents even if one is poor, and one should try to help...
human life be more valuable than another? William Godwin's thought experiment concerning Fenelon and his valet is intended to argue precisely this point. Godwin proposed a burning building with two people in it, Fenelon and his servant. Godwin argues "that life ought to be preferred which will be most conducive to the general good" and concludes that the moralist who would write the "immortal Telemachus" is therefore more valuable
Ethical Philosophies Ethics Utilitarianism, Kant's categorical imperative, virtue ethics, and Confucianism One of the most intuitive ethical philosophies is that of utilitarianism, an ethical ideal that suggests that ethical decisions should be made based upon what decisions will achieve the greatest good for the greatest number of people. When we weigh decisions based upon their costs and benefits, we are taking a kind of utilitarian approach to decision-making (Ethics 5: Utilitarianism, 2008).
Aristotle, happiness and pleasure was moderation and a middle action between two vices. . So, for example, modesty would be a virtue as it comes between two extremes or vices; egotism and low self-esteem. Another example would be working sensibly. The two vices of working would be overworking and laziness. The middle option would be working sensibly. This, according to Aristotle, is the correct choice of action. He said
Aristotle vs. Mill The Greek philosopher Aristotle and John Stuart Mill agreed that the objective of morality was the pursuit of general happiness and the good life in society and in the individual. But they deviated in the concept of, and the manner of arriving at, "the right thing to do," especially in reference to friendships. Mill held that actions are right in the proportion that they tend to promote that
It is learned and is the outcome of both teaching and practice and the force of habit. Discuss Aristotle's doctrine of the mean The mean is the result of moral virtues being balanced within the individual. Aristotle saw the mean as the middle road to happiness. He argued that all of life is really an attempt to find the highest good. Pleasure is momentary, but happiness is an ethical state of
Ethical Theory The author of this report has been asked to answer several questions about noted ethicists and philosophers. There will also be coverage of both of those as they pertain to happiness, good, evil and utilitarianism. The people that will be covered in these answers include Mill and Kant. When it comes to Mill, there will be a definition of happiness as well as what is meant by something or
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