Position Paper
Utilitarian and Kantian perspective
According to utilitarianism perspective, people have an obligation to produce actions which brings happiness and pleasure to others. Utilitarianism focuses on social improvement and introduces the ideology that if certain actions improve the human welfare, then such actions are right (Shaw, 49). In this perspective, pleasure is fundamental element for the well-being. An important point to note in the ‘Blood Sale’ case study is that utilitarianism views this act as an act which produces the greatest good to the community. While Kant’s perspective focus on moral action regardless of the consequence, Utilitarianism focus on performing actions which produce a positive outcome and benefits the greatest number (Shaw, 49). In relating the case study with utilitarianism perspective, the act of buying blood at fifteen cents and reselling at $25 per unit is a right act because after all it minimizing pain and maximizing the well-being(Shaw, 80). In addressing the dilemma in this case, it is important to consider the well-being of the people and the huge benefits which community receives. Even though the business is designed to make profit, it produces the best result and produces happiness to the community. Apart from making profit, the Plasma international focuses on improving the lives of people and decreasing pain. In fact, the organization rejects the customs or moral codes from the National Health Service that blood should not be sold or bought. Rather, the organization’s actions are intended to maximize the well-being (Shaw, 80).
According to Kant perspective, people should adhere to universal law and moral rule when doing actions. In other words, he says that moral rules should be categorical imperative where everyone has a moral duty to do the right thing and to obey the law (Shaw, 56). Kant adds other point based on universal acceptability and states that people have moral rules which are self-recognized. Though morality may be constricted by reasons, there should always be a moral law which guides toward doing the right thing. In addition to universal acceptability, people should view humanity as an end but not as means. In relating the case study with Kant’s perspective, the act of buying and reselling blood is unethical (Shaw, 58). This is because, Kant argues that people should be treated as ends but not as means. The act of buying blood at low price and reselling it expensive is an act of treating people as means. In other words; people have an obligation to adhere to the moral rule in making moral decision. In Kant’s perspective, patients should receive blood without charge and allow the voluntary donors to give blood without making profit (Shaw, 80). Kant argues that people should do unconditionally good and avoid condition good which focus on money. He adds that although the Plasma International brings the greatest happiness to the community, the source of happiness is not good will. Generally, the Plasma International does not adhere to the moral law which directs a person toward moral requirement (Shaw, 56).
After reviewing both Utilitarianism and Kantian perspectives, I can say that Utilitarianism offers a meaningful moral evaluation. This is because; the act of buying blood and reselling is moral and just simply because it maximizes happiness and minimizing pain to the community (Shaw, 49). Unlike Kant’s perspective which sticks to the adherence to the moral rule and good will, utilitarianism considers the outcomes and the associated happiness or pain. Generally, the action of buying safe and uncontaminated blood is right as it maximizes utility (Shaw, 49).
Work cited
Shaw, William H. Business Ethics. 9th edition Boston, MA: Cengage Learning, 2015. Print.
