Why or why not?
Thanks for the help.
2007-10-12 15:41:37 · 4 answers · asked by sarah 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
No.
I cannot imagine two more different philosophies. Kant stressed absolute morality, independent of context, and the absolute wrongness of violating another rational subject. Utilitarianism is context dependent, and allows for subjects to be violated as long as it makes the world a better place. Kant is the epitome of deontological morality; utilitarianism, of consequentialist morality. There may be certain aspects of the two theories which are compatible, but by no stretch of the imagination can Kant be a utilitarian. If you can prove otherwise, you should submit this as your doctoral dissertation.
2007-10-12 19:09:02 · answer #1 · answered by student_of_life 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unlikely since Kant was the prime mover of deontological ethics where certain things are absolutes, irrespective of circumstances. Categorical imperatives trump a balancing of "greatest good for the greatest number" kind of thinking.
2007-10-12 16:05:23 · answer #2 · answered by LucaPacioli1492 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, he was a categorical moralist. He believed ethics were based entirely on principle, not any particular state of affairs.
2007-10-12 15:44:50 · answer #3 · answered by neil s 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no
2007-10-12 15:44:40 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋