CAS PH 100 Lecture 8: Part 1: Kant vs. Mill
24 Jul 2018
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Lecture 8: Mill vs. Kant
Lecture 8: Part 1
• Both Mill and Kant are in the same enterprise (moral philosophy), but they have
opposing views.
• Utilitarianism focuses on the consequences of the actions and justifies actions based on
whether or not it causes the greatest general happiness.
• Kant, however, states that the consequences do not matter and what matters is the
intentions and whether or not the actions are according to duty.
• Nothing can be thought of as “good without qualification, except a good will” (81).
o For example, money is an object which can only be good when it is used to do
good - therefore it is a qualified good.
o The only good without qualification is the good will.
▪ It is good in itself - the good will may not achieve results, but it is a good
intention and is simply good.
▪ To Kant, what matters is if you have acted according to your duty.
▪ In morality, you are right if you are doing what is morally required of you,
if you’re following a moral maxim (general code of conduct) - you follow
your moral duty, no exceptions.
▪ What is most relevant is the quality of your will and nature of your
intentions.
