The question of euthanasia is surrounded by numerous controversies. Here we will examine the moral system of Immanuel Kant and John Stewart Mill, the argument for euthanasia, and how each philosopher would respond to this argument. Immanuel Kant and John Stewart Mill have different ethical views and therefore view the issue of euthanasia differently. Immanuel Kant has a deontological or duty-based ethical vision. This means that for something to have moral value, it must be done out of duty. The basis of this view is the categorical imperative, which, according to Kant, consists of “Acting only in accordance with that maxim by which you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law” (412). We must be able to universalize the act and not have contradictions for it to be morally permissible. Another part of this view is the principle of humanity, which states: "Make sure that you use humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of others, always at the same time as a end, never simply as a means” (415). An act that uses someone as a means to an end is automatically immoral in Kant's view. This ethical system which is the basis of Kant's view on euthanasia is very different from that of Mill. John Stewart Mill has a very different ethical point of view from that of Kant. Mill is a utilitarian, who in the book is described as follows: "He claims that the morality of an action is determined by how it promotes 'utility,' which is defined as the greatest good for the greatest number” (417). This ethical vision measures the morality of an act based on its result. If it promotes the greatest good for the greatest number, it is moral. This is also called the Greatest Happiness Principle. Happiness being pleasure and the absence of pa...... middle of paper ...... we are forced to think about what we believe. I tend to agree with some of both. I agree with Kant that no human being should be treated as a means to an end. On the other hand, I also think it is part of our moral obligation to alleviate suffering if possible. How we do these things depends on each individual. Works Cited Battin, Margaret. “Batten: the arguments in favor of euthanasia. » Living ethics: an introduction. Ed. Michael Minch and Christine Weigel. Australia: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2009. 490-97. Print.Kant, Emmanuel. “Foundations of the metaphysics of morality: Immanuel Kant”. Fifty Plus Readings: An Introduction to Philosophy. Ed. Donald C. Abel. Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill, 2004. 404-16. Print.Mill, John Stewart. “Utilitarianism: John Stewart Mill.” Fifty Plus Readings: An Introduction to Philosophy. Ed. Donald C. Abel. Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill, 2004. 416-25. Print.