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Name: Instructor: Course: Date: The moral philosophies of Immanuel Kant and John Stuart Mill We live in an increasingly complex world, where we are often faced with faced with ethical dilemmas in which decisions have to be made, revolving around our personal life and that of others socially. Rationalization of our actions, whether right or wrong, is significantly influenced by the morality which may not achieve stability and is subject to change following the multiplicity and complexity of ethical dilemmas. Therefore, the question that is borne on all of us is whether consideration should be given to an action’s consequences or to follow certain predetermined rules to guide on what action is right, and is the central theme in contemporary ethics. Utilitarianism, proposed by John Stuart Mill, and Immanuel Kant's theories are the ethical systems to be discussed in this paper. Both theories suggest that morality should be based on a foundational principle, which is utility (Mill) and categorical imperative (Kant). They provide for recognition of moral rules in between a decision and action, which Kant refers to as duties and Mill (subordinate principles). Utilitarianism entirely focuses on the result of an action (experience) while Kantian theory relates only to the will or reasons made for the action, irrespective of the result (MacIntyre 335). John Stuart Mill’s utilitarianism theory states that as long as an action leads to the maximization of the happiness of most people (greatest possible amount of happiness for the largest number of individuals), then it is right (Beauchamp N.p; Driver N.p). Psychologically, according to Mill, all people would act in a manner
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