Absolute Moral Rules
Absolute Moral Rules One may believe that an absolute rule against killing humans is essential because killing is always evil and inhumane. Others believe that there are great exceptions to killing humans, such as self-defense, that need to be taken into account when making an absolute rule about killing humans. If someone tries to kill your family member or tries to kill you, should you stand there and die because you do not want to violate the absolute rule, even if your reason behind breaking the rule brings about more happiness and outweighs the consequences of breaking the rule? Immanuel Kant believes that good will, what he sees to be the ultimate intrinsic good, along with following the categorical imperative determine whether we are acting in the right way. John Stuart Mill, on the other hand, believes that we should all think about the consequences of our actions, while also getting the most pleasure in all beings affected and the least amount of pain because of this action. Even though I agree with Immanuel Kant’s idea that humans should act according to the categorical imperative and that they should have good intentions behind their actions, I believe that John Stuart Mill’s utilitarian approach is better for society because utilitarianism states that the ultimate intrinsic good is happiness. Because exceptionless moral rules do not always follow the utilitarian approach, moral rules cannot exist due to the idea that humans should create the most happiness from their actions, while creating the least amount of pain. In Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals, Immanuel Kant argues that humans should “act only on that maxim through which [they] can at the same time will that it should become a universal law” (Kant, p. 542). According to Kant, the judgment of one’s action is his/her intention behind the action regardless of the consequences. The good will is human reason without consequences, without outside influences, such as emotions. In order for