Essay 1

Write a 750-word (or more) paper in which you address EACH of the following questions in your own words:

1. In what way would Mill’s theory condemn murder?
2. In what way would Kant’s theory condemn murder?
3. In what way would Aristotle’s theory condemn murder?
4. Which of these three approaches do you find the most convincing, and why?
Remember this is an essay, so you should combine each of these answers into one continuous piece of writing.

Submission Instructions:
Complete your assignment using word-processing software such as MS Word.

ANSWER

1. Mill’s Theory

Mill’s theory can condemn murder through the principle that actions are only right if they promote happiness and are wrong if they reverse happiness. Mill’s ethical theory argues that happiness is the main criterion to establish what is morally right. Mill states that the ideal moral society is where everyone is happy and free of pain concerning any activity (Ogan, 2018). Mill considers utilitarianism as a principle based on the fact that actions are right only if they promote happiness and are wrong when they produce the reverse of happiness. Mill considers happiness as the absence of pain and pleasure. Mill’s theory emphasizes the consequences of a particular action rather than ethical sentiments and rights.

Mill’s theory condemns murder since it causes harm and is directly wrong. Considerably, murder is unethical since it results in pain and does not result in the greatest happiness for all. According to Mill, only happiness has an intrinsic value since it promotes pleasure. Murder does not result in happiness and free of pain which are desired as ends. An action is ethically good or immoral depending on the outcomes. Murder does not promote moral rightness since it does not lead to pleasure without pain. Mill argues that an individual must minimize pain and maximize pleasure. Murder does not consider everyone’s pleasure and its motive has nothing to do with general happiness.

2. Kant’s Theory

Kant’s theory can condemn murder under the moral principle that pays attention to respect for persons. Murder as an action fails to respect the goals of human beings. Kant’s theory is a categorical imperative that focuses on respect of humanity and that an individual should only act with moral reason. Kant based the theory on the belief that reason should be utilized to determine how an individual acts (Hill, 2020). Kant argues that every action should result in moral worth and that an individual should be treated as humans with intrinsic value. This means that one has value independent of its usefulness. Kant condemns murder through his argument that an act is acceptable if an individual is willing for the maxim that enables the action to be universalized.

Murder is immoral since it leads to a state of affair which no rational being would accept. A rational being cannot be perfectly moral if they fail to submit to the subjective will of rational laws. Ideally, an individual needs to treat humanity morally whether in their reason or another since the moral obligation is rational needs. Kant argues that there is a need to recognize the right of others and act autonomously. Considerably, murder does not adhere to more code of conduct since it does not fulfill the categorical imperative which argues that one should only act concerning maxim through which one can at the same time agree to be a universal law. An individual should not treat another individual as a means to some greater end.

3. Aristotle’s theory

Aristotle’s theory can condemn murder by focusing on virtue and recommending individuals to be tied to a virtuous way of life. Aristotle stated that people need to meet an excellent character as a precondition for achieving well-being and happiness. Aristotle emphasizes virtue where he recommends the virtuous way of life concerning happiness (Van Zyl, 2018). All activities should be aimed at a perceived good and happiness to facilitate a virtuous way of life. Aristotle argues that the purpose of life is to rely on rationality with moral virtue. Concerning murder, Aristotle argues that murder is not virtuous since there is no intermediate or mean state.

Either way, murder entails killing a person which remains to be wrong. Aristotle’s theory of being virtuous focuses on characteristics that lead to positive qualities. Therefore, murder is not a positive action since it entails taking another person’s life which does not result in a virtuous act. A virtuous person should exhibit the joint excellence of character and reason. Murder is always wrong regardless of the situation or circumstance. A virtuous person will know what is the right thing to do rather than commit murder since they are emotionally attached to their actions.

4. Most Convincing Approach

Aristotle offers the most convincing ideas since he argues that living well entails doing something like a disposition to behave appropriately. According to Aristotle, Murder is not a virtuous activity since the action itself is not devoted to the highest human good. Murder is always wrong despite the state or circumstance since its ultimate good does not lead to happiness. Choosing murder means being ignorant of moral virtue, what is good, and failing to exhibit distinct qualities of a virtuous life. Aristotle argues that actions are not the reason for immorality but for the characters that vomit the actions. Aristotle gives different reasons why murder is morally wrong. One is that murder is an act linked to the bad character which means it is performed by an individual with a bad character. Another reason is that murder an immoral action whose ultimate end isn’t satisfying or bringing pleasure.

A virtuous act demands that one does the right thing willingly and knowingly and that one should act in character since one is responsible for what they do and what they are. Therefore, one cannot excuse themselves from murder since the action is not purposeful or morally right. Aristotle argues that every human action aims to achieve something good to bring happiness and pleasure. Goodness is dependent on the moral quality of an activity. Thus, an action such as murder is not devoted to upholding moral quality since the action contrasts virtuous life. Acts such as murder bring dishonor to a person due to a deficiency of moral quality.

References

Hill, T. E. (2020). Dignity and practical reason in Kant’s moral theory.

Ogan, T. V. (2018). John Stuart Mill’s Utilitarianism: A Critique. International Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies (IJPCS), 5(1).

Van Zyl, L. (2018). Virtue ethics: a contemporary introduction. Routledge.