Kant's Moral Theory and Utilitarism Comparison

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Kant’s moral theory and utilitarianism are two very different moral theories. Kant’s moral theory works off of the categorical imperative. Utilitarianism works off of the greatest happiness principle. Morality and right action are very different within these two theories, and the idea of slavery is a good example of the differences. Utilitarianism can allow slavery, whereas Kant’s moral theory cannot allow slavery.
Kant’s moral theory uses the categorical imperative as its basis. The categorical imperative states “act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law”. (Kant, pg. 30) A maxim is a reason a person commits and act. (Kant, pg. 30) Kant does not believe a person can act merely from duty. He believes that every individual has some ulterior motive for every action, therefore no individual can act from duty. A good will can be achieved only if an individual acts from duty. A good will in itself is the best action possible. (Kant, pg 7) Kant believes it is impossible to know if an individual is acting from duty. The alternatives are acting in accordance to duty, and contrary to duty. If an individual acts contrary to duty, then the person is not performing a good will. If the individual acts in accordance to duty, then the action chosen was right. Acting in accordance to duty is the best an individual can knowingly achieve. The only way an action can be considered good, is if it follows the categorical imperative. The categorical imperative can be followed if the maxim for the action can become a universal law. Kant’s moral theory is straight forward compared to most. There is only one outcome for every maxim, because a maxim cannot be a universal ...

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... a child cannot be made into a universal law, because if everyone acted on this maxim, then the human race would cease to exist. Not having a child is immoral, therefore having a child is moral.
Kant’s moral theory and utilitarianism are well thought out moral theories. There are similarities and differences between these two theories. Every action can be evaluated by these theories. The conclusions are different in many cases, but are also similar in other cases. The way each theory reaches a conclusion is extremely different. Kant’s moral theory seems to have only one conclusion for an action, and is relatively straight forward. Utilitarianism can have multiple conclusions for an action, therefore it can be difficult when coming to a conclusion. The theories are both strong, but not without flaws. It is hard to distinguish which theory is the right theory.

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