Assignment

Are ethical actions to be judged by a good will or a ‘good' outcome?

You must give an account of both Kant and Mill in this essay. Be sure to inform your reader of the ethical arguments of both philosophers.

You should include the following in order to have a successfully written essay:

1. a clear thesis statement that outlines your position, for example., "I will argue that ethical actions should be judged by a good will alone," or "I will argue that ethical actions should be judged by their result or consequences."

2. an explication of the ethical thought of Kant. Be sure to include a discussion of the good will, duty, the moral law, the tests of reason and the categorical imperative.

3. an explication of the ethical thought of Mill. Be sure to include a discussion of pleasure and pain, the Utilitarian calculus, Higher and Lower Quality pleasures, and competent judges.

4. a critical discussion in which you point out weaknesses and strengths of these philosophical positions in order to argue for your thesis (as it is expressed in your point 1). Remember: do not avoid but address the weaknesses of the position you are arguing for.

5. a short, crisp conclusion in which you reiterate the strength of your thesis