Kantian and Utilitarian Essay

Kant believed in an absolute moral law that he called the Categorical Imperative. It is this imperious that determines our duty. (2) Two formulations of this imperative can be used to determine the morally correct execute that Alistair should choose. The start-off formulation, The Formula of usual Law spot only on that maxim through which you can at the selfsame(prenominal) sentence will that it should become a universal law of nature. (2) Alistair has two doable maxims to act upon. These maxims, if it were universally applicable, ar Any iodine may lie in order to promote increasing human welfare and Everyone always tells the loyalty.The first maxim is contradictory. If people had the option to lie, it negates the system of trust on which the world is built. When, for example, I typeset my capital in the bank, I trust them to keep it safe. If the first maxim was universally accepted, I could not trust without reservation that the bank would keep my money safe be name they would be able to give my money away if they felt it would increase the welfare of those less fortunate. If this was the case, there would be widespread mistrust and, ironically, it would befuddle a negative impact on human welfare.The second maxim is universally applicable and is thus, concord to Kant, the maxim on which to act upon. The second formulation, The Formula of the End in Itself So act as to treat humanity, both in your own person, and in the person of every other, always at the same time as an end, never simply as a means. (2) If Alistair were to withhold the integrity about the bribery, he denies the rationality of the board and denies that there is any rational action for them to perform.He denies them the option to rationally grass a decision on what to do about the military position. In doing this he is using the board that as a means to ensure the delivery of the medicine. According to Kant, for Alistair to use the board as a means in themselves, he would hav e to tell the truth. According to Kants theory, the action of ignoring the bribe fails the first and second formulation of the Categorical Imperative, thus the right thing to do would be to tell the truth to the board of directors. Utalitarian TheoryLooking back at the case study it is clear that, on the one hand, people are receiving inexpensive kits of medicine, the drivers dont get shot and the reputation of the sculptural relief establishment and the director is still intact. On the other hand, the board doesnt know about the bribery, thus the unethical activity cannot be put to a chase away. Utilitarianism is a theory based on consequences, not the action leading to the consequence. This theory holds that we should choose those actions that would result in the greatest amount of good in the worry of the greatest number of people affected by our actions. 1)(4) The good is anything that, directly or indirectly, brings happiness or pleasure. (4) The consequences of each partic ular action is considered to determine which outcome will best serve the greater good. (3) Act Utilitarianism prescribes that every situation be evaluated independently. The action that leads to the greatest net outcome of utility is then considered to be the correct choice. According to this theory, Alistair should choose the action that will maximise happiness and minimise sorrow. Alistair has two possible choices with two different consequences.The first is that Alistair tells the truth about the bribery. The possible outcome of his choice are the pursuit the drivers stop receiving cash and get shot, the contract is terminated and the less fortunate stop receiving their medicine, the director in charge of the contract is fired, and the relief organisation suffers great embarrassment. These are all negative effects and cause great unhappiness. On the other hand, the happiness of the board is increased because they can put a stop to more unethical activity.The second choice that Alistair has to consider is to keep silent and overlook the bribe. This would lead to the situation staying the same (as stated in the case study) and would secure the happiness of the greater good which include the director, the relief organisation, the drivers and the people receiving the medicine. The board of directors would not know about the bribe, so there would be no unhappiness to consider. Considering the consequences of both actions, the happiness of the greater good is maximised when Alistair keeps silent.