Assignment task: Kant, unlike Mill, believed that certain types of actions (including murder, theft, and lying) were absolutely prohibited, even in cases where the action would bring about more happiness than the alternative. For Kantians, there are two questions that we must ask ourselves whenever we decide to act: (i) Can I rationally will that everyone act as I propose to act? If the answer is no, then we must not perform the action. (ii) Does my action respect the goals of human beings rather than merely using them for my own purposes? Again, if the answer is no, then we must not perform the action. (Kant believed that these questions were equivalent).
Critically evaluate Kant's claim that certain actions are always prohibited, even is cases where the action would bring more happiness than the alternative. Do you think Kant's categorical imperatives are a good way to determine the moral rightness of an action? Explain.