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Kant's Ethics Categorical Imperative Essay

¶ … solving throughout this term. Solve the dilemma using Kant's ethics (Categorical Imperative).

Solve the dilemma using any other method we have discussed to date (with which you agree.)

State which resolution (Kant's or the other one you chose) you prefer and why.

Britain's lush canopy tree is in danger of extermination due to axe-happy people preoccupying themselves with chopping it down. Reason includes the facts that they cause shedding of fruit at unsuspecting passersby heads; that they drop conkers, and leaves that make pavements slippery, as well as that they sink roots under houses and pavements. In their place, British architecturalists grow the so-called lollipop trees which are not only smaller, more compact varieties with shorter root systems, but also supposedly cheaper to grow. However, these trees do not provide the same advantages of the canopy ones which "clean air, capturing molecules of pollution; absorb CO2 while giving off oxygen; act as sound and wind barriers; cool heated cities; help prevent erosion and moderate and lessen flow of rain to storm drains" (http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jul/27/ethicalliving.carbonemissions)

Their principles have universal application and exist regardless of circumstance and place. They are rule based and obtain virtue from moral obligation to fulfill them rather than from personal sentiment or inclination to do so.
As applied to this scenario, rule-based principles may be established that will apply to any country and any place regardless of circumstance and this will state whether or not to save the canopy trees. In other words, a person may decree that they pose danger to human lives and therefore decree that they be felled. This will be applicable to all times and places regardless of differences in these times and places. The reverse may be that another decree may be to save these trees regardless…

Sources used in this document:
Reference

Williams, Bernard (1993). Morality: An Introduction to Ethics. Cambridge University Press.

Siegle L (26 July 2008 ) How can we save our trees from the chop? The Guardian http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jul/27/ethicalliving.carbonemissions
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