Ethical Theory

Paper Summary:

This paper first outlines John Stuart Mill's theory of utilitarianism and contrasts it to Immanuel Kant's belief of the categorical imperative. The paper then discusses the theory of ethical relativism, which is the idea that moral absolutes do not exist and there is no predetermined right and wrong way of behaving. According to the paper, people alter their religious guidelines for living to fit their present situations and way of living. The paper therefore concludes that, as situations change and laws are passed and beliefs are updated, ethics change as well and will continue to do so until the end of time.

From the Paper:

"The theory of utilitarianism is based around morality and the determination of what is right and what is wrong. In chapter one of John Stuart Mill's paper, "Utilitarianism," he recognizes the exactness of mathematics as a science (1863). The comparison to mathematics is made in most of the reading material presented for discussion. There are a set of rules defined for mathematical processes and when followed by any person the result will be the same. However, this systematic methodology for dealing with problems is not translatable to ethics and morality. All other sciences and aspects of human knowledge are based on the "general principles of moral judgment" (Mill, 1863). Basically, the utilitarian theory outlines a formula for happiness."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Holt, T. (2003). Moral relativism: Cultural relativism. Retrieved October 18, 2007, from Philosophy of Religion Web site: http://www.philosophyofreligion.info/culturalrelativism.html
• Mill, J. S. (1863). Utilitarianism. Retrieved October 18, 2007, from utilitarianism.com Web site: http://www.utilitarianism.com/mill1.htm
• Rabins, M. J., E. Harris, M. S. Pritchard, L. L. Lowery, Jr. (2007, May 10). Moral concepts and theories. Retrieved October 18, 2007, from Texas A&M University Web site: http://ethics.tamu.edu/ethics/essays/moral.htm
• Richards, S. A. (1999). Immanuel Kant and the categorical imperative. Retrieved October 18, 2007, from That Religious Studies Website Web site: http://www.thatreligiousstudieswebsite.com/Articles/Ethics/Deontology/categorical_imperative1.html
• Slick, M. J. (1995). Ethical relativism. Retrieved October 18, 2007, from Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry Web site: http://www.carm.org/relativism/ethical.htm

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