Deontology and Utilitarian Scenario Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Deontology and Utilitarian Scenario - Essay ExampleUtilitarianism, which is a teleological framework, on the other consider, decides on whether near affaire is right or wrong by looking at the consequences or teleos of the relevant proceeding or non action. I.e. the action itself is not value soggy and the intrinsic nature of the action is not very relevant. It is what is achieved by that action that is determinant in ascertaining whether something is right or wrong. As such the same action can be right in unrivalled instance and wrong in the other instance, depending on the circumstances and consequences. This is directly at odds with deontological frameworks which bid that a given action will be universally right or wrong irrespective of the surrounding circumstances. The foregoing also highlights why deontology is considered to be a specimen of absolutism while utilitarianism exemplifies relativism. Utilitarianism, like the philosophies put forward by John Stuart Mills, loo k at whether something is right or wrong by looking at the consequences of that action in that it looks to see whether the action produces the greatest aggregate happiness amongst the relevant people. Application of deontological principles to the ethical problem at hand In applying deontological principles, mainly in the form of Immanuel Kants philosophy on categorical imperatives, I can ascertain what I should or should not do when Im standing on the bridge with the mad fat ethical philosopher. The only thing I essential put my mind to is whether I should push the scoundrel and kill him or not. The surrounding circumstances are irrelevant. It is only the intrinsic value of the action of pushing him and killing him that I must put my mind to. As such, at first glance it can be said that under Kants philosophy the right thing to do would be not to kill the villain. This general conclusion can be supported by applying some of Kants categorical imperatives. For example, applying the categorical imperative that is similar to the Golden Rule in the Bible and provides for the principle of universalizability, if I was the fat person on the bridge looking down at the tracks, I sure would not have wanted to be thrown down on to the tracks for want of a heavy inanimate object. If I would not want to be thrown down, then equally I should not throw the villain down. Furthermore, it is very clear that the villain is necessary only because there is a inadequacy of any other heavy object. The fact that he is human is irrelevant. Only his mass and physical being is necessary. This goes directly against Kants categorical imperative that one must not use humans simply as a means to an end. The fact that I would be merely using the villain and snub his humanity if I did throw him down the tracks would go directly against this categorical imperative which emphasizes that respect for the person. Note how in the above discussion the consequences of throwing down the villain were not discussed. This is because in relation to this specific action, it was irrelevant that by killing the villain the innocent people will be saved. However, ethical principles apply equally to action as well as non actions. It is one thing to think about throwing down the villain and killing him, but there is another thing to think about in the same circumstances. Presumably, I am the only one on the bridge and I have the power to save the louvre innocent