John Stuart Mill s Utilitarianism And Immanuel Kant s...

A famous psychological and philosophical topic is the trolley question. The trolley question, in variant ways, asks people how they would handle life and death decision making or what is morally good versus what is morally evil. This question falls under the umbrella of moral philosophy, also known as ethics, which asks questions of morality. There are a vast number of moral philosophies one can align themselves with, but two major categories of moral philosophy are the most popular and the most debated. These are John Stuart Mill’s Utilitarianism and Immanuel Kant’s Categorical Imperative. In looking at the three trolley cases, one can align themselves with either Mill, Kant or create their own perspective. Utilitarianism is†¦show more content†¦By this the objector is saying that reducing life to its total pleasure is disregarding many facets of the human experience. Even farm animals and insects are capable of pleasure, so what would be the defining factor between humans and pigs? Mill replies by saying that we can distinguish between high pleasures and lower pleasure. High pleasures are intellectual in nature, such as winning a game of Monopoly that requires strategic skills. Lower pleasures are simpler pleasures, like the excitement one can get from a piece of candy. Both of these are pleasure-filled, however winning the game of Monopoly would be considered a more intense and higher pleasure that only humans can attain. While utilitarianism is a valid perspective for many, the categorical imperative is another popular choice of moral philosophy. The categorical imperative is Kant’s superordinate principle of moral beings. He believes that what is morally correct needs to be done at all times. The categorical imperative has various renderings with different language to mean all the same thing. For the trolley cases, focusing on Kant’s Formula of Humanity is the most compatible. This formula is also known as The Formula of the End in Itself. The Formula of Humanity states â€Å"Always treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other, as an end in itself, never as a mere means to an end†. Writer Onora O’Neil explains Kant’s perspective in her own simpler way. HerShow MoreRelated Immanuel Kants Ethics Of Pure Duty and John Stuart Mills Utilitarian Ethics Of Justice2753 Words   |  12 PagesImmanuel Kants The Grounding For The Metaphysics o f Morals and John Stuart Mills Utilitarianism Immanuel Kant and John Stuart Mill are philosophers who addressed the issues of morality in terms of how moral traditions are formed. Immanuel Kant has presented one viewpoint in The Grounding For The Metaphysics of Morals that is founded on his belief that the worth of man is inherent in his ability to reason. John Stuart Mill holds another opinion as presented in the book, Utilitarianism thatRead MoreKant And Mill On Animal Ethics Essay1365 Words   |  6 PagesIn this essay I will begin by explaining the overall views of Immanuel Kant and John Stuart Mill, then compare and contrast the ideas and philosophies of Kant and Mill on Animal Ethics. I believe that Kant, the deontologist, will not care as much about the duty/responsibility between humans and animals as Mill, the utilitarian, who will see the extreme importance of animal ethics. After studying and explaining the views and teachings of these two philosophers I will see if my thesis was correct,Read MoreWhat Has Posterity E ver Done For Me By Robert Heilbroner1626 Words   |  7 Pagesresponsibilities towards future generations in regards to preserving the planet. In this paper, I will present Heilbroner s arguments for posterity, in relation to how we treat our environment. In addition, I will compare two ethical theories, Kant s Categorical Imperative to Mill s theory of Utilitarianism. I will then argue as to why Utilitarianism is more plausible in respect to Heilbroner s environmental view on posterity. Furthermore, I will point out why Kantian theory does not at all support the ideaRead MoreArgument For Criticizing Utilitarianism And Deontology1138 Words   |  5 PagesBenny Mutoni Ethics Society Instructor: Joseph John Argument for criticizing utilitarianism and deontology In this paper, I will discuss various ethical courses of action during ethical dilemmas. I will be examining how utilitarians and deontologists use different approaches to solve ethical dilemmas, by citing the text â€Å"Doing Ethics: Moral Reasoning and Contemporary Issues† and views of philosophers such as John Stuart Mill, Immanuel Kant and Jeremy Bentham. Using these, I will develop an argumentRead MoreMoral Judgements Are Morally Wrong?2025 Words   |  9 Pagesaction based on the intention of the action. Immanuel Kant, an eighteenth century German philosopher, is considered a deontologist and one of the pivotal figures in modern philosophy. Alternatively, consequentialism is the view that actions should be deemed morally right or wrong based on the outcomes an action has. A consequentialist would compare the end results of two different actions and their interest is in the conclusion of the action. Utilitarianism is a branch of consequentialism that believesRead MoreEth ical Theories And Deontological Moral Theories2001 Words   |  9 Pagesgoing by this, an action that is consider moral is one that nets a good outcome from the consequences. But on the other hand if the consequences result in a bad way than it is considered immoral. One of the best known theorists for this camp is John Stuart Mill, we will go in to far more detail of his ethics later in this paper. Deontologists are the other branch of normative ethics, which believes that the intention or motive of any action is the true misure of morality. The action of a person is measuredRead MoreImmanuel Kant And John Stuart Mill Essay2002 Words   |  9 Pagesmost widely known ethical philosophers are Immanuel Kant and John Stuart Mill. While they may have philosophized around the same time period, the philosophers have very different ideas about ethics and happiness. Immanuel Kant, author of Duty and Reason, believed in the morality of the good will and duty. He espoused that happiness is an irrelevancy insofar as fulfilling duty is the most important aspect of leading a moral life. Conversely, John Stuart Mill, who wrote, The Greatest Happiness PrincipleRead MoreImmanuel Kant And The Categorical Imperative1437 Words   |  6 PagesImmanuel Kant, a German philosopher, specifically a deontologist, has two imperatives: the hypothetical imperative and the categorical imperative. These imp eratives describe what we ought to do and are only applicable to rational beings because they are the only beings that recognize what they ought or ought not to do. The hypothetical imperative is when an individual’s actions are reasoned by their desire, so they only act with the intention of fulfilling their desires. The categorical imperativeRead MoreComparing Aristotle And John Stuart Mill1130 Words   |  5 Pagesimportant topic, however I intend to concentrate of the famous works of Aristotle, Immanuel Kant, and John Stuart Mill. After meticulously analyzing each of the above philosophers’ texts, I personally prefer the position of utilitarian and Benthamite, John Stuart Mill. After comparing and contrasting the positions and reasonings of these philosophers, I will demonstrate my own reasons why I have chosen John Stuart Mill as the most established in his theory of the role of pleasure in morality. AristotleRead MoreEssay on The Golden Rule in Kant and Mills Ethical Theories1320 Words   |  6 Pagesand purpose. The two most important philosophers that deal with ethics are Immanuel Kant and John Stuart Mill. Kant’s ethical theory is Kantianism or deontological ethics. Mill’s ethical theory is utilitarianism. Both philosophers’ theories have many differences; Kant’s theory deals with conduct, seeking reason for good action in duty. Mill’s theory deals with consequences and maximizing human happiness. However both Kant and Mill’s ethics relate to the important biblical principal of the Golden

Essay about Anxiety Disorder - 1441 Words

Among many psychological disorders, anxiety disorders are the most predominant in the United States. According to Antony (2011), anxiety disorders affect nearly 28.8 percent of the population. An extreme and unrealistic anxiety is the most common symptom that characterizes all the psychological conditions within the category of anxiety disorders. The category includes specific phobia, agoraphobia, social phobia, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. This paper examines obsessive-compulsive disorder discussing the major etymological explanations of anxiety disorders in general, specifically describing the condition, and discussing actual treatments for the disorder.†¦show more content†¦Psychotherapy’s effectiveness is based on the cathartic or abreactive method used, where the patient releases psychological tension by re-experiencing traumatic events. Although anxiety can be produced by repres sed sexual drives, it can also be produced by many other repressed emotions like anger, jealousy, and fear. When these repressed emotions try to reach the conscious, anxiety appears from the unconscious fears related to the traumatic experience. Then, these affects, emotions associated with ideas or actions, are re-repressed by secondary defenses. Using this idea, Freud described and explained many dynamic processes involved in anxiety disorders. For instance, displacement would be a secondary defense in phobias, while reversal and reaction-formation would be secondary defenses in obsessive-compulsive disorder (Wolman Stricker, 1994). However, Freud had to revise his theory after empirical evidence demonstrated that abreaction of affects only relieve the symptoms temporally. In his second model, Freud said that anxiety was a signal for the anticipation of danger that produces defense mechanisms. In a way, anxiety expresses the level of conflict in the unconscious. For this reason, abreaction represents only a partial treatment because it does not resolve the cognitive element of anxiety. Anxiety would be permanent reduced changing the unconscious anticipation of danger. Nevertheless, cognitive elements of anxiety are not just based on innate needs andShow MoreRelatedAnxiety Disorder And Anxiety Disorders1075 Words   |  5 Pagesdefinition for anxiety from a text book stand point. Someone that has or has experienced anxiety would describe it differently. An anxiety problem can be developed through genetics, past life events, and personality. Anxiety can be broken down into six different branches: generalized anxi ety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, phobia, post-traumatic stress disorder, and social anxiety disorder. People with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) often have increased anxiety over somethingRead MoreAnxiety Disorder And Anxiety Disorders1868 Words   |  8 Pagesof both physical and mental development. Mood disorders are often overlooked during this time for the brain becoming more developed; however among children, anxiety disorders seem to be the most common disorders to be experienced (Nelson; Israel, pg 112). Barlow (2002) defines anxiety as a future-oriented emotion that is characterized by the inability to be in control and predict future events that can be potentially dangerous to the individual. Anxiety shares commonalities with fear, but the differenceRead MoreAnxiety Disorder And Anxiety Disorders2598 Words   |  11 PagesFor a huge amount of people, anxiety is a normal response to everyday stress. It’s a normal emotion that everyone goes through at a certain points in their lives. Many people feel anxious or nervous when facing problems at work, school, etc. A nxiety disorders however, are super different. They can cause such distress that interferes with a person’s ability to live a normal life. Anxiety disorders are the most common psychological disorders in the United States. About 27.6 million people in the URead MoreAnxiety Disorder And Anxiety Disorders1224 Words   |  5 PagesAnxiety is defined as a persistent fear that occurs in the absence of a threat. Anxiety and fear are typical human reactions that can be exaggerated. When an individual’s anxiety interferes with their everyday life, it is then referred to as an anxiety disorder. There are five classes of anxiety disorder, which include: generalized anxiety disorder, phobic anxiety disorder, panic disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and posttraumatic stress disorder. There is not a specific cause to anxietyRead MoreAnxiety Disorders And Anxiety Disorder848 Words   |  4 Pages Everyone in their life time experiences some sort of anxiety. It is that feeling that you get when you are about to take a test or doing a presentation in front of students. But some people, like me, have something worse than just the anxious feeling you get, something called anxiety disorder. It becomes a disorder when that anxious feeling happens frequently and makes you feel uneasy and different Figuring out that I had anxiety took a while, I always felt like I was anxious a lot more than everyoneRead MoreThe Anxiety Disorder ( Anxiety )1126 Words   |  5 Pages A Psychology disorder known as anxiety disorder, is the most common in the United States. In a result of, 18% of 40 million people suffers from anxiety. However, there are six different types of anxiety disorders in the results of stress, depression, social interaction, obsessive compulsive, and phobia. Which characteristic functions as a natural part of life, that can be treated thought several methods. Anxiety is a feeling of numerous of things, whether its danger or a sense of threat andRead MoreThe Anxiety Disorders : Social Anxiety Disorder2032 Words   |  9 PagesClient Goal There are many adolescences that suffer from anxiety that interferes with them performing in the school setting, and often affects their behavior and grades. One of these anxiety disorders is social anxiety disorder, which is â€Å"characterized by significant discomfort and avoidance of social or performance situations† (Ryan Warner, 2012, p. 105). Studies have found that â€Å"recent estimates indicate that 6% of children and 12.1% of adolescents meet criteria for this diagnosis† (Ryan Read MoreAnxiety Disorder3897 Words   |  16 Pageson Anxiety Disorder Jeffrey S. Fletcher, M.A. Kathleen B. Stinger Psychopathology and Counseling, Coun 656 4, May 2014 Author Note Jeffrey S. Fletcher, Student, Liberty University. Correspondence concerning this paper should be addressed to Jeffrey S. Fletcher, Jfletcher1@liberty.edu Abstract This research paper is designed to review articles and books of professional journals in anxiety disorders, definition of anxiety disorder, review of current and past treatments of anxiety disordersRead MoreState Anxiety And Anxiety Disorders3266 Words   |  14 Pagesincrease in research on anxiety. Ever since, special clinics have been introduced in order to help deal with anxiety disorders. It is suggested that the growth in research is due to anxiety being regarded as one of the most prominent and pervasive emotions, causing distress and negatively affecting large numbers of people. As stated by Rachman (2004), anxiety is described as the experience of unpleasant feelings and the unsettling anticipation of a threatening but vague event. Anxiety can be experiencedRead MoreGeneralized Anxiety Disorder1142 Words   |  5 PagesGeneralized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a disorder of shared self-reported symptoms. It goes with tension, uncontrollable worrying, sometimes muscle pain, tro uble sleeping, and irritability that all together impair work ability, relations, and leisure activities. It is a common condition and there are psychological and pharmacological treatment options are available for anxiety disorders but not all patients respond to the same treatment as others. Finding a good treatment can take many months or sometimes

Academic Book Review of Strangers in the Land by John Higham free essay sample

The book, Strangers in the Land Patterns of American Nativism, 1860 – 1925 was written by John Higham. The book was published in the year 1954. John Higham was born in New York in 1920 and graduated from the Johns Hopkins University. He has worked for the University of Wisconsin, Madison and the U.S. army air force in its historical division in Italy. He earned his doctorate under Merle Curti in 1949. His experiences at the University and US Army made in him a democratic, sophisticated, American patriotism in which he always believed. He was a great teacher, conscientious mentor and a balanced critic (Ross, 2008). The book selected for review deals mainly with the anti-immigrant and anti-racial policies that prevailed in America and the post war developments that led to immigrant flow in large scale and the further issues during the period 1860 to 1925. The book attempts to convey a general history of the anti-foreign spirit the author has defined as nativism. According to the author, Nativism as a habit of mind illuminates darkly, some of the large contours of the American pas. It has mirrored our anxieties and marked out the bounds of our tolerance. The author is concentrating on the hostilities of American nationalists toward European immigrants, who comprised the mainstream of newcomers throughout the chosen period (1860 1925) and the preceding century. The book Strangers in the Land is an evaluation of the pre-Civil war and post war nativist developments in America. Pre-war period saw the idea of ‘Nativism’ develop through anti-catholic, anti-foreign movements and racism. The author takes us through the early to mid nineteenth century during which immigrants were considered equal to aliens and every step was taken to throw them out of the country. Catholicism was condemned due to its non-applicability in American’s concept of individual freedom and political liberty. Anti-foreign movements were aimed mainly at European and French immigrants since the Americans feared political revolution. The third movement was a positive approach and it boosted American racism and evolved that Americans belonged to a superior Anglo-Saxon nationalism. The post war scenario changed all these concepts and saw the immigrants in every sector of developing America. The American government started realising the importance of the immigrants who played a major role in post war development. The immigrants later formed the base support for land development and they also formed the consumers for the various industries. Though nativism seemed to have vanished, it did exist beneath the surface of the society. The author claims that the government supported the flow of immigrants till it helped development and when they started backfiring the nativist inside, the Americans started showing up again. The author describes how the states liberalised the immigration laws initially and then when the trouble started, stringent rules were imposed on immigration. Another area which the author scans is the coming back of anti-Catholic movement through the states’ imposing rules on religious intervention in the field of education. The author further throws light on how anti-racism and labour rights movements created problems for the still-nativist Americans. The author sites that nativism flourished during the period due to the deep-seated ethnic differences between natives, and immigrants added to the movements and events during the period (Higham, 2002). Nativism in American History While evaluating the general history of America, nativism has been an integral part of its past. Americans have discriminated and assaulted immigrants in the early nineteenth century and embraced the immigrants for their own development after the civil war. Alien and Sedition Acts, Protestant Crusade, Chinese Exclusion, Return of Anti-Catholicism, Americanization Campaign and Triumph of Anglo-Saxon Racialism are some of the major movements in American history during the period 1860 to 1925. This has been discussed in various historical works (Cycles of Nativism in U.S. History). 1860 to 1925 is also a time which witness several important events like American Inventions, political developments, World wars and introduction of many important labour laws (Sioux Uprising). Analysis Pros Though there are various books on similar context majority of them analyse the political impact of nativism. Most of the books seem very complex to the reader. Higham’s book was one of the earliest to discuss this important historical factor with a less biased approach about nativism. Books such as Dividing Lines by Daniel J Tichenor and The Party of Fear by David Harry Bennett does discuss about nativism in American history, but the passion and simple prose has made Higham’s book a favourite amongst history students. This book provides simple and effective information about American nativism which can be easily interpreted by laymen. Cons Higham has included information on many smaller interesting events and movements that added to the main events which makes his study more detailed and understandable. By making the prose simple, the author has however made the content less sophisticated than it should have been. In addition to that, the movement has been described generally and individual references supporting nativism has not been given in the book. Higham has shown nativism as a battle between natives and immigrants whereas the internal clashes such as fights between various ethnic groups among the natives have not been mentioned. Higham sites nativism as an act which is preached rather than practiced (Ueda. 2006 p.180-187). Higham has discussed very little about the anti-Asian movements though there is a mention about Chinese Exclusion p.187). Another important aspect of nativism Higham neglected is the role of women in the movements (p.191). Higham’s base for the Protestant leader’s role in the movement is based largely on sermons, pamphlets and books. The extent to which they contributed can be assessed only through the correspondence made by the leaders. Only further investigations will reveal and authenticate some of the links mentioned by Higham (p.193). Conclusion John Higham’s book Strangers in the Land – Patterns of American Nativism, 1860 – 1925 is a very good guide for a beginner to understand the history of American nativism. Though certain important issues have not been considered, the author has been able to demonstrate his work through interesting events and simple prose.