The Utilitarian and Kants Approaches - Essay Example

. Kantian ethics however dictate that a sexual union is needed merely for self-preservation and procreation. Kant’s theory is based on a categorical imperative, which regards it as something necessary with some association to pleasure. Kant has complex views about sexuality, and views a sexual union in a bizarre way and insists that when one makes another individual their spouse; they are harming the society since they take that particular individual away. Kant saw marriage as the acquisition of another human being for society. The sexual union of marriage nonetheless seems a bit absurd as Kant just extends it a transfer of “bodily fluid.” The question remains- why is sex permissible and possible?

Utilitarian ethics dictate that sex should be taken in a strict sense. A Utilitarian argument tends to produce overall happiness than doing anything else. The Utilitarian is not a moral theory that believes everything should be done for moral reasons. Since an egoistic person only cares about himself, the utilitarian argument proposes that pleasure and pain arise from actions. However, utilitarian ethics possesses a very absurd view. For instance, traditional utilitarian thinking insists that it is ok for a person to derive pleasure over an image of a rape victim if it brings pleasure but does not physically induce that upon a person. Clearly, unethical acts like masturbation are not moral.

My own experience towards this is inclined towards Kant’s perspective. I believe marriage should be sacred and sex should be kept within limits. However, an illegitimate child should not be aborted just because he is born outside the marriage context. Ethically speaking, Kant’s notion of aborting an illegitimate child is immoral because it takes a life of innocent children. Similarly, utilitarian ethics aim for the overall happiness of society itself. Although Utilitarian ethics acknowledge that pleasure and pain are part of human nature; it does diminish the fact that the notion of pleasure should be embedded within the spheres of marriage. Hence, I tend to be more inclined towards Kant’s perspectives. Read More