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Ethical Theories

Is there an ultimate moral principle that we should live by? If so, what is it? Some philosophers argue that the Principle of Utility is the ultimate moral principle; others argue that the Categorical Imperative is. Is either of these theories correct?

Unit 5: Readings

Mill, Utilitarianism
Mill, John Stuart. “Excerpt from Ch. 2: What Utilitarianism Is.” In Utilitarianism, 8–17. Longmans, Green, reprinted from Fraser’s Magazine, 1879.
Mill's Argument
Kant, Excerpt from Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals
Kant, Immanuel, and H. J Paton. “Formula of Universal Law, Canon of Moral Judgment, Formula of the End in Itself, Formula of Autonomy.” In Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals, 88–98. New York: Harper Perennial Modern Thought, 2009.

PHIL 3410H Epistemology: Unit 5: Ethical Theories

Ethical Theories

Unit 5: Readings

Unit 5: Multimedia

Unit 5: PowerPoint Slides

Unit 5: Recorded Lecture