Kant: Duty and Reason as the Ultimate Principle
1. Explain the case of the Cold-hearted Benefactor and how the virtue ethicist and
deontologist would ascribe moral praise. Which theory do you think provides the most
satisfactory analysis of this case and why?
Kant’s moral deontology is only developed around good will as the base for even
considering an action that is morally correct. He uses a theory which he describes as good
will, and what makes us deserving of moral praise to a specific moral requirement.
Mill: Happiness as the Foundation of Morality
2. How does Mill’s understanding of pleasure differ from Jeremy Bentham’s? Be sure to
explain Mill’s reasoning behind claiming that it is “better to be a human being dissatisfied
than a pig satisfied”
Mill and Bentham both agree on the devotion to great happiness and its principles in the
statement of utilitarian value. Bentham and Mill did not agree that all difference among
pleasures can be quantified. Mill had a view of pleasure by experience of humans can also
differ from other qualitative ways & that experience types of pleasure are relative quality.
This is what Bentham didn’t believe in. Mills reasoning behind “better to be a human
being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied”. I feel that this means that we as humans are capable
of experiencing more pleasures than animals. Pleasures that we feel include love with
friends and family and so forth. When we are not as satisfied, our knowledge of pleasure
makes our lives better than animals. When we as humans are depressed our memories tend
