Utilitarianism and Categorical Ethics

Utilitarianism and Categorical Imperative Theories
Student’s Name
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Utilitarianism and Categorical Imperative Theories
Facts
In every decision people make, there is an element of ethics involved. Ethical considerations refer to what is right and wrong according to given moral values as opposed to viewing the situation from a legal point of view. As an employee of ABC company, Luke has the duty and obligation to put the interest of his company first. From a personal point of view, there is also the issue of his brother. By allowing the project to go through, the price of land would decrease significantly. The situation that Luke finds himself in is an example of the ethical dilemma that most people go through. By using the Utilitarianism and Kant’s Categorical Imperative theories, Luke should be able to get guidance as well as decide on the way to go as far as ethics is concerned.
Issue
Luke’s situation presents an ethical dilemma. The main problem the Luke faces is whether to act in the best interest of ABC the company which he works for or to act in the best interest of Owen, his brother who is very close to him. The main issue in contention is that choosing one side may have an adverse effect on the other side. If he chooses to lead the project of ABC and later on his brother sells his house, Owen stands to lose out from the market value of the house. In contrast to that, ABC may halt the announcement of their plans to allow Owen to get a better price from the sale of his house.

Ethical Lenses and Analysis
One theory that can be used as a basis for judgment in Luke’s scenario is Utilitarianism. As the name suggests, the word utilitarianism comes from the word utility. In this case, the theory views ethical decisions as one that contributes to one’s happiness or pleasure. According to the theory, the actions and decisions that one makes are judged based on the degree of happiness or pleasure they produce. The theory of Utilitarianism is based on three basic principles. Happiness and pleasure are the only factors with intrinsic value. Intrinsic value is the cause of all happiness and pleasures. The other principle deals with the fact that the consequences of a particular action are based on the happiness it produces. Better results are judged by the greater happiness they produce. The last principle is that everyone’s happiness is seen as an equal consequence. Where every party is happy that the results are judged to have produced equal results.
In contrast to the Utilitarianism theory, Kant’s categorical imperative theory follows the notion that morality is judged based on some rational standard known as the Categorical Imperative. From Kant’s point of view, Categorical Imperatives are the rules to be followed regardless of one’s desires. In addition to that, Kant argued that moral obligations are followed by a pure reason. An action that is deemed to be moral is considered rational. As a result, all immoral actions are irrational simply because they are in violation of the principle of the Categorical Imperative (Johnson & Cureton, 2014).
Conclusion
The theories provide some basis with which Luke should base his judgment upon. According to the Utilitarianism theory, Luke decision should be based on what brings happiness to both the company he works for as well as his brother. He should advise his brother to sell his house before the announcement on the project is made. From the Categorical Imperative point of view, the decision should be based on moral obligations that Luke has to the company.
Reference
Johnson, R., & Cureton, A. (2004). Kant’s moral philosophy.