John Stuart Mill, And The Deontological Theory Of Ethics

Frequently brought up in modern conversations between â€Å"everyday† people and behavioral researchers alike, issues regarding morality and ethics have become increasingly prevalent. With the current global political climate drawing attention to and/or raising awareness for various humanitarian crises, such as the massive destruction in Puerto Rico that has left the entire island in ruin or refugee Rohingya people fleeing persecution in Myanmar and Bangladesh, it is imperative to understand the logistics of possible relief efforts through a philosophical lens. Two well-developed theories that offer solutions to such problems are Utilitarianism, proposed by John Stuart Mill, and the Deontological Theory of Ethics, advocated for by Immanuel†¦show more content†¦Although originally postulated by Jeremy Bentham, this theory that advocates for the greatest good {sunnum bonum}flourished under the formulation of John Stuart Mill. A commonly simplified principle, the greates t total net good is similar to that of a mathematical formula {taking all of the effects of an action, applying them to everyone affected, and finally subtracting the totality of bad effects from that of the relatively good ones}. Assuming that true â€Å"happiness† is a state of pleasure that is lacking any elements of pain, Mill introduces the concept of Higher and Lower Pleasures in order to differentiate between stimulating intellectual sentiments and mere physical sensations. (Mill, 6) To this end, one would assume that as a hedonist, {one that perceives a good or successful life to consist of the pursuit and experience of pleasure} Mill’s position on both Rescue I and II would be that that saves the most people, regardless of the circumstances. However, the situations proposed contrast each other in that they lead back to Foot’s initial concern about the difference between† killing and letting die.† Rescue I allows for a somewhat lowered sense of obligation {responsibility if you will}, as it requires the hypothetical rescuers to go off their initial path to save the group of five individuals at risk of drowning to save only one person from another unfortunateShow MoreRelatedThe Ethical Argument For Veganism1685 Words   |  7 Pagesusing Utilitarianism defined by John Stuart Mill, and Deontological ethics according to Immanuel Kant. Through the use of these theories, I will justify the moral worth and legitimacy of the animal welfare debate that is often used to promote a cruelty-free and vegan lifestyle by analyzing questions of animal sentience, the worth of an animal’s happiness, and the right humanity supposedly has to the lives of other living creatures. 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