An analysis of Immanuel Kant's deontology theory and its application to the death penalty.
Analytical Essay # 133233 |
1,250 words (
approx. 5 pages ) |
4 sources |
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Abstract
This paper commences with an overview of the theory, paying careful attention to Kant's idea of categorical imperative, and then moves into a discussion of deontology's relevance to the death penalty. The paper concludes that the said theory coincides well with the practice of capital punishment.
From the Paper
"Although several philosophers have tackled the theory of deontology, it is the name of Immanuel Kant that is most closely associated with it. Like other philosophers of monumental stature, Kant attempted to arrive at a systematic and comprehensive understanding of human knowledge, and his deontology theory did precisely that. It is the purpose of this essay, then, to probe his theory and attempt to apply it to that most controversial and emotionally charged topic: the death penalty. This paper will commence with an overview of Kant's theory and will then argue that..."
Tags:kant, deontology, punishment
A look at the philosophy of deontology.
Analytical Essay # 149444 |
881 words (
approx. 3.5 pages ) |
7 sources |
APA | 2011
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$ 18.95
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This paper examines an outlook known as deontology and considers its relevancy today. According to the paper, deontology regards those choices that are morally required, forbidden, or permitted. It guides and assesses choices of what people ought to do in contrast to those that guide and assess what people should be. Additionally, the paper contrasts deontology with it's antithesis, consequentialism. Various scholars and their philosophical works on understanding deontology are cited. The paper concludes with a look at how deontology applies it the business world. It notes that from a moral standpoint, businesses should be vested in deontology to ensure that good and right are done.
From the Paper
"Deontologists are contrasted consequentialists, who believe that choices are to be assessed morally only by what they actually cause. Whatever brings about "the good" it is morally right. In contrast, deontologists believe that some choices cannot be justified by their effects. Regardless of how morally good their consequences, some choices are morally forbidden (Stanford, 2009). "...what makes a choice right is its conformity with a moral norm." Thus, "right" has priority over "good." In Kant's (1965) view, deontological ethics is a major aspect of each of the branches--agent-centered, patient-centered and the contractualist. The age-centered deontologist the only thing unqualifiedly good is a good will. The patient-centered deontologist cites' the taboo against using others as mere means to one's end. The contractualist can cite Kant's insistence that maxims on which one acts be capable of being willed as a universal law -- willed by all rational agents. In 1930, Broad defined "deontology" in his book Five Types of Ethical Theory. Deontology is a "duty" or "obligation" based on ethics, since ethical rules bind a
person to his/her duty. In 2001, Nilles brought professional deontology into the service industry to decrease the risks noted by clients and workers. They limit people limits not to cross when doing their jobs. "
Tags:contractualist, capitalism, ethical codes, consequentialists
This paper explores utilitarianism, deontology and lawyers' ethical duties.
Term Paper # 101438 |
766 words (
approx. 3.1 pages ) |
8 sources |
MLA | 2008
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$ 16.95
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The paper discusses utilitarianism, an ethical philosophy which holds that the right course of action is the course of action which provides the greatest good. The paper then looks at deontological ethics that believes a person has certain duties which he should carry out. The paper looks at Immanuel Kant's deontological beliefs of moral duties and discusses how duty requires a defense lawyer to zealously represent the defendant even if he/she knows that a client is guilty and believes that if the client is not imprisoned, he/she will commit more crimes. The paper further explains that an attorney is required to not take a case in which he cannot give zealous representation.
From the Paper
"Utilitarianism is an ethical philosophy which holds that the right course of action is the course of action which provides the greatest good or the greatest number. As articulated by Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, this ethic holds that the two controlling emotions in life are pleasure and pain. Man prefers pleasure. Thus, for the isolated individual, an action producing pleasure is good; an action producing pain is bad. For a person in society, an action is good if the pleasure felt by all those affected is greater than the pain felt by those affected. (Hollinger 2002, pp. 32-33; Bentham, 1949; Mill, 1979)"
Tags:pleasure, pain, benefit, Kant, duties, categorical, imperative, attorneys
A discussion on the deontological perspective towards euthanasia.
Persuasive Essay # 128948 |
1,321 words (
approx. 5.3 pages ) |
5 sources |
MLA | 2010
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$ 26.95
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The paper looks at the issue of euthanasia from the deontological standpoint, and evaluates whether euthanasia can be considered rational, or ethically acceptable. The paper defines the issue of euthanasia and explores the five criteria which determine whether or not the decision of committing suicide can be made in a "rational way." The paper explains the beliefs of deontologists and argues that many of those who turn to voluntary euthanasia actually abide by the moral precepts behind deontology. The writer also disagrees with the slippery slope argument and contends that there has been no evidence of such predictions.
From the Paper
"The topic of euthanasia cannot be discussed outside of a philosophical framework. In this sense, it is important to note here that not even the legalistic approach to the matter excludes the philosophical arguments which arise. From the philosophical standpoint, euthanasia has deep moral implications which resemble those associated with suicide. Nonetheless, euthanasia also raises questions about moral authority, and whether or not it grants a certain individual the right to decide over someone else's life. Aside from the ethical aspect, there is also the rational one. Since euthanasia is a voluntary act which implies the consent of both parties involved, it becomes rather self-evident that euthanasia can be regarded as "assisted suicide." In addition, similarly to suicide, which can become a rational act if it meets five criteria, euthanasia can also be considered a rational decision in certain cases."
Tags:physician-assisted, suicide, rationality, ethics
An examination of the roles of free will in a deontological moral theory and a utilitarian moral theory.
Essay # 138923 |
2,000 words (
approx. 8 pages ) |
2 sources |
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This paper examines the roles of free will in a deontological moral theory and a utilitarian moral theory - specifically, those of Immanuel Kant and John Stuart Mill.
From the Paper
"The idea of free will occupies many different areas in moral philosophy, ranging from being of no consequence to being central to the theory. This paper will consider positions from each side of this duality, examining the roles of free will in a deontological moral theory and a utilitarian moral theory - specifically, those of Immanuel Kant and John Stuart Mill. It should be noted that the doctrine of free will is central to Kant's deontology, and almost completely absent from Mill's utilitarianism. With this in mind, this paper will first give a brief explanation of each theory, and then go on to examine how the theories would deal with..."
Tags:kant, deontology, utilitarianism
A review and comparison of the consequentialist and deontological approaches to ethics.
Comparison Essay # 145904 |
1,221 words (
approx. 4.9 pages ) |
1 source |
APA | 2010
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The paper explains how the consequentialist ethical approach determines the relative morality of human conduct strictly in relation to the consequences of that conduct, while the deontological approach is based on adherence to rules as the highest moral conduct. The paper explains how consequentalism is applied in practical situations and considers the deontological criticism of consequentialism. The paper then focuses on the insufficiency of the deontological approach by highlighting the deontological obligation to provide truthful information to a murderer on the location of his victim. The paper contends that consequentialism is more useful in that lying and violating other established general rules is ethically justified only in circumstances that meet objective criteria characterizing the consequences.
Outline:
Consequentialist Ethical Principles
Consequentialism in Practice
Criticism of Consequentialism
Consequentialist Response
Resolution
From the Paper
"The consequentialist ethical approach determines the relative morality or immorality of human conduct strictly in relation to the consequences of that conduct. Like other philosophical systems, consequentialism incorporates variations in the specific definitions and distinctions or classes of consequences that matter the most: utilitarianism emphasizes consequences that benefit the greatest number, even at the expense of some; hedonism emphasizes the maximization of pleasure; and aestheticism emphasizes beauty. Consequentialism is contrary to other ethical systems that determine the relative morality or immorality of human conduct strictly on principle and without regard for different types of effects of conduct, such as in relation to their underlying motive (virtue ethics), or their adherence to established social rules or laws (Kantian Deontology)."
Tags:morals, consequences, rules, principles, motives, results
A comparison and contrast of consequentialist and deontological normative ethical theories.
Comparison Essay # 118709 |
1,265 words (
approx. 5.1 pages ) |
8 sources |
MLA | 2010
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This paper discusses the philosophy of ethics. It discusses the difference between moral philosophy and ethics and the origins of their meanings. The paper briefly compares deontological ethics and consequential ethics- it considers the nature of these theories separately and then contrasts them. Finally, the paper acknowledges that the consequential ethical theory has many flaws, but argues that such flaws should not overcome the positive aspects of the Consequentialist theory.
From the Paper
"The opposition between Deontological and Consequential ethic theories rests upon the values that they ascribe to different portions of the act. While Deontological theories rely upon the motivations behind the act, and belittle the consequences of the act, Consequential ethics gives value only to the end results of the action. The latter theory has obvious importance in an age where the consequences of actions are the most easily noted by the media; here consequences are definitely given weight over means. At the time of writing, in England controversy surrounds the shooting dead of an innocent man by law enforcement officers: they believed they were doing so in order to prevent a terrorist act. The Deontological theorist might suggest that they were morally wrong for sacrificing the right of one for the benefit of many; but no-one is currently insisting that their motives were wrong."
Tags:morality, society, conduct, behavior, belief, codes, duty
Compares teleology, deontology, and the virtue-based systems of morality, making an argument for the teleological system of morality.
Comparison Essay # 57633 |
1,142 words (
approx. 4.6 pages ) |
2 sources |
MLA | 2004
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$ 23.95
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This essay brings out the positive and negative points in the three major systems of morality: teleology, deontology, and the Aristotle's virtue-based systems of morality. It then explains why Mill's theory of Utilitarianism (teleology) would be better in today's society.
From the Paper
"The majority of the population, probably including yourself, claims they act "morally". Many of these people ask other people to act "morally", but when you ask these "moral" people what morality is they stand there for a minute, and almost every single person will give you the wrong answer. So what is morality? In brief, morality is a basic set of principles that people follow. A perfect example would be Osama Bin Laden, a man that believes completely in what he does, and does it to his best. He has his own set of "morals" which he follows perfectly. He is acting morally. On the other hand we have Saddam Hussein; he does not follow any set of standards consistently, and therefore is not considered "moral". Obviously someone who acts morally may be acting morally according to their set of standards, but in our opinion are very wrong. This is because we have different systems of morality. There are three major systems of morality: Immanuel Kant's theory of Deontology, Aristotle's theory on Virtues, and finally the theory of Utility, or the Utilitarian principles of Teleology."
Tags:categorical, deontological, ethics, imperative, kant, mill, moral, morality, philosophy, teleological, virtue
This paper explores Kant's theory of deontology and his views on the death penalty.
Persuasive Essay # 103824 |
1,202 words (
approx. 4.8 pages ) |
4 sources |
MLA | 2008
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$ 24.95
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Abstract
The paper provides an overview of Kant's deontology theory and its implications. The paper then argues that Kant's theory presents indisputable support for the death penalty in our society today.
Outline:
Kant's Deontology
Kant and the Death Penalty
Conclusion
From the Paper
"To start with: what is deontology? The word's most basic definition is etymological: the study of duty. Unlike utilitarian philosophy, which can be summed up in the rather trite and shopworn "the end justifies the means," deontology does not assign much importance to an action's consequences, focusing instead on its motives. Or, more concisely: deontology detects moral worth in motives, rather than in outcomes (McCormick 8d). The implications of this are monumental, as Kant is basically arguing that an action may lack moral worth even if its outcome is desirable and, conversely, that an action whose outcome is questionable may be considered "good." To understand these conclusions, it is important to elaborate further on Kant's ideas of categorical duty as opposed to contingent, or hypothetical, duty."
Tags:categorical, duty, imperative, integrity, society, murder
A comparison of deontological vs. teleological ethical systems.
Comparison Essay # 125756 |
1,000 words (
approx. 4 pages ) |
10 sources |
APA | 2008
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$ 21.95
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Abstract
The paper discusses major ethical systems and whether they are deontological and teleological in nature and which is the best in terms of the criminal justice system.
From the Paper
"Generally as described by Schick and Vaughn, teleological or consequentialist ethical theories judge the rightness or wrongness of an action in terms of its consequences. Conversely, formalist or deontological ethical theories judge the rightness or wrongness of an action in terms of its form. This analysis will examine the seven major ethical systems employed in the criminal justice system, identifying them as either deontological or teleological. It will conclude with a personal statement of this writer's preferred ethical..."
Tags:deontological, teleological, ethics