Applied Ethics Essay

A False expect sum a stipulation that is do with no intention of carrying it go forth and esp. that is made with intent to deceive or defraud. Nowadays, do trumped-up(prenominal) promises has become ubiquitous in our daily life. Is it a right serve or not? Based on Kantian ethic and Utilitarianism, at that place are different dupes in making a infatuated promise.Utilitarians ingest in making a irrational promise For Utilitarianism, it looks at the result of an human actionion for all those people affected by the action. If the all overall residual of happiness over unhappiness is its consequence, the action is right unhappiness over happiness, it is harm.(Chan Chun Fai s notes, object lesson Theories, p.2) Also, the rationale of utility applied to it is generally convey as Al right smarts act to produce great happiness for the greatest fleck of people. (Chan Chun Fais Power Point)For example, Betty has made a false promise to Peter. She borrowed almost money from gobbler as to travel to Taiwan with her fri prohibits and promised him that she would overtake money to him after one week. So, Tom was glad to lean her money. Betty made a false promise to have enough money travel with their friends and her friends were so thrilled just virtually that although Tom would feel depressed about it. However, this action produces greatest happiness for the greatest number of people that Betty and her friends snarl happy while entirely if Tom felt unhappy. Therefore, it is considered as a right social function to do.But for rule-utilitarianism (RU), it is treated as a wrong action because RU looks at the consequence of a rule and the principle of utility is applied to a rule. Also, if everyone following the rule could produce reasoned consequence, and so we should abide by that rulea right rule. (Chan Chun Fais Power Point) In this situation, if everyone made false promises, people would stop believe promises and each other. As this action result in bad consequence, it is not a right action in the concept of rule- utilitarianism. Kantians view in making a false promiseKants deontology is not about consequence and happiness. It is about to act with a good give (which is an living good) is to act out of duty to act out of duty is to act with righteous legal philosophy. (Chan Chun Fais notes, Moral TheoriesKants deontology P.1) If we do intimacys just for our desires or feelings, it is not considered as a truly moral action. For example, Peter does some amicable services only because it benefits him to get into university. In this case, as his social services are based on his desires, they are not through out of duty. So, these actions are not treated as moral actions.Of course, in Bettys case, she made a false promise to Tom and she acted without a good result. Also, she made a false promise to get what she wants has indicated that she did this only for her desires. Therefore, making a false promise is not a mor al action in Kantians view.Besides, there is a principle of morality in Kants deontology called Categorical Imperative. It is the cardinal principle of morality. A savorless imperative is unconditional and independent of any circumstances, goals, or desires. (Chan Chun Fais notes, Moral TheoriesKants deontology, P.2) Kant expressed this idea in two formulations called ecumenic law and the end in itself. Base on this two formulas, we can valuate an action whether it is right.Refer to the formula of universal law, we need to act only on that maxim whereby we can at the same time will that it should become a universal law. In general, if it is right for you to do something, then it is right for anyone in similar situation to do the same thing and you are required to be consistentdo not settle exceptions for anyone, including yourself. Obviously, making a false promise cannot be a universal law as it is impossible for everyone to do the same or for you to will that everyone acts as you do. In fact, most of people must be slow to be made a false promise. As making false promises has exception that no one is willing for everyone to follow this rule, it cannot be a universal law. Due to this, it is not a right action.According to the end in itself, it is stated Act in such a way that you always treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other, never simply as a means but always at the same time as an end. (Chan Chun Fais notes, Moral Theories, P.4) That means, we need to treat all rational humans as ends, never merely as a means to an end. Additionally, Kant stated that both man is to be respected as an absolute end in itself and it is a crime against the dignity that belongs to him as a human be to use him as a mere means for some foreign purpose.Hence, it is morally wrong for Betty to make a false promise to him that uses Tom merely as a means to achieve her ends because Tom too has ends of his own. Therefore, making false promises is a wrong action in Kantians view as performing this action doesnt not respect others and use others merely as a means. My point of view over Utilitarianism and Kantian moralityIn my opinion, Kantian ethics is break away than Utilitarianism as doing things with Kants Deontology can enhance harmony in our community. Say, if we do social services out of duty, not of desires or feelings, such attractive of behaviors can last longer. If we do social work base on the concept of utilitarianism in order to get some benefits or to settle with ourselves, we will stop doing social services sooner or by and by once we have been satisfied. In addition, Kants deontology advocates respect of others while utilitarianism is to a greater extent aggressive and selfish. If everyone does things with the concept of utilitarianism, it can be harmful to our society as all of us only think about ourselves instead of be considerate to others.Conclusion In an aspect of utilitarianism, if making a fals e promise can produce greatest happiness for the greatest number of people, it is a right action while it is a wrong thing to do in rule-utilitarianism as it result in bad consequence.Moreover, making false promises is with a bad will and for peoples desires that it is not a right thing to do in Kantians view as it uses others merely as a means and it will not be a universal law. Personally, I think Kantians ethics is more ideal than utilitarianism because of social harmony.