The task before me in this article is to address two situations and determine the ethical parameters within which a person should act. The two philosophical approaches I will discuss will examine situations from the Kantian and utilitarian point of view. Kant deciphers his ethical questions by examining a person's motivation to perform an act regardless of the consequences. A person who uses the Kantian view believes that the only pure good is pure human reason, without consequences. This pure human reason functions without the influence of human emotions and desires. A truly good act as defined by Kant is performed because of an obligation to the Categorical Imperative. The personal goals and agendas of the individual performing the act must remain separate and distinct. Utilitarianism makes ethical decisions based on the consequences of the action taken. Contrary to the Kantian vision, it is not only the consequences that matter, but the motivations. Action is measured by the degree of happiness or sadness it creates. The ideal ethical decision is the one that creates the most happiness and the least sadness. It is almost impossible to have different degrees of freedom since a person would have to experience all the different degrees of freedom to determine which degree of happiness is better than the other. The first situation involves a thief who stole from the millionaire. In this case, Kant would examine the motives of the thief. The thief steals for himself, regardless of his circumstances. Even though his family is poor and struggling. The thief continues to progress. It doesn't matter why the thief steals from the rich man. Stealing is against the universal law that it is wrong to steal middle of paper...... are beneficial. The father dies peacefully and happily, knowing that his last wish will be granted. The girl made her father very happy by promising to fulfill his wish. The only negative would be the lingering guilt that she might marry someone outside of her religion, but that's just a possibility. The utilitarian would agree to tell the father that she will promise not to marry a man outside of her religious affiliation. This decision brings the most pleasure for both sides and avoids the pain and anguish experienced by his father. This analysis is strong because it suits the utilitarian point of view very well. The girl is doing something that will bring the greatest happiness to the greatest number of people. The main flaw in this argument is that the daughter had to deceive her dying father to bring this happiness to her father..