Compare And Contrast Deontology And Bentham's Utilitarianism
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When studying philosophy, a student becomes very aware of the contradiction and different opinions of highly remarked philosophers. Many students become frustrated with the opposition and question the importance of the study all together. Others choose to indulge in these differences to further their understanding beyond what he/she thought capable of beforehand. The obvious contradictions between Kant’s deontology, and Bentham’s and Mill’s utilitarianism is a perfect example of such occasion in philosophy. However, even though these are two opposing philosophies, with very different ideas governing their conclusions, we should look to learn from both and apply the knowledge we identify with, thus creating our own philosophies. In this essay I wish to do exactly that; to compare and contrast these two ideologies in order to better understand them and help others do the same.
First we must understand what is Deontology. The word deontology when broken down to its roots literally means, the study of the nature of duty and obligation. Just the word alone is a great summary of what this philosophy deals with. Kant, the German philosopher who developed deontology, taught that the highest good one could achieve is that of good will. However to achieve this highest good one must be motivated only by a duty or obligation to the good will. Kant…show more content… In the work place of a Nurse, he must choose between finishing his important medical documentations in a patients chart or to stop what he is doing and help another patient who is also in need of him. He knows that if he stops documenting and leaves what he is doing behind he will not be able to pick up where he left off and the chart will be locked away with incomplete information. However, if he does not act quickly the other patient may die. He cannot ask for another nurse’s help and must decide quickly. What should he