Compare And Contrast Utilitarian And Kantian

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The Utilitarian and Kantian Viewpoints on the World War II Bombing of Japan The United States of America’s bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki has been a great influence on American history. The mass destruction of both the lives of civilians and the cities in Japan have influenced many different opinions. Some believe the dropping of the atomic bombs were essential, whereas others say it was uncalled for. The following will define and explain the opposing viewpoints of a utilitarian and a Kantian. It will delve into their responses to the additional Allied invasion, and will analyze and provide objections to their responses, while also providing my personal viewpoints on both perspectives. In 1945 the United States dropped an atomic bomb on both …show more content…

The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki caused up to two-hundred-thousand deaths, this new invasion could cause a total of eleven million casualties. In this scenario, a Utilitarian would say the atomic bombings of Japan would be the right plan of action to take instead of following an invasion. A utilitarian is someone who believes that actions are good so long they produce more happiness than they do suffering and misery. Thus, since this invasion could produce millions of deaths instead of the two-hundred-thousand, they would respond that their actions of dropping the atomic bombs are right in terms of their consequences. Although the dropping of the atomic bombs caused many deaths and suffering that led to additional deaths from poisoning and injuries, the overall outcome of fighting in combat would result to more suffering than happiness. This might seem like an irrational thought, but utilitarians focus on outcomes and weigh those results on whether they produced more happiness or suffering. Had the utilitarians been asked by the Allies on what they believed would cause the best result, they would have advised the Allies to drop the bombs. If,

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