Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This paper argues that the methods for distinguishing right actions from wrong actions presented in the moral philosophies of Immanuel Kant and John Stuart Mill converge to a remarkable degree. Kant, like Mill, classifies moral actions as those leading to the greatest happiness, for he thinks moral actions approximate (to the extent circumstances are under an agent's control) the kingdom of ends, which is the state of the greatest possible happiness. Meanwhile, Mill tells us to always pursue the greatest possible happiness; accordingly, the principle justifying any particular action that Mill would recommend in particular circumstances will always be universalizable according to Version 1 of Kant's Categorical Imperative.
Source: Metaphilosophy
DOI: 10.1111/meta.12729
Author: Mark J. Boone
Institution: Hong Kong Baptist University
Language: English
Subfield: Philosophy
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $2,760
OpenAlex ID: W4410550892