Prostitution is one of the most controversial and constantly debated topics. Prostitution occurs when a person sells themselves for money to please others. It's illegal in many places, but it still seems to be widespread. The often debated question is: “Is prostitution ethical?” Utilitarian Jeremy Bentham and deontologist Immanuel Kant both view prostitution as an unethical act. They both have slightly different reasons for why they view prostitution as unethical. Bentham's method of hedonic calculation and Immanuel Kant's test of "means to an end" and duties to oneself will demonstrate the extent to which prostitution is unethical. I will also argue that prostitution is unethical. The ethical theory of utilitarianism is associated with the philosopher Jeremy Bentham. Utilitarianism is essentially the theory that good is what causes a person pleasure and evil is what causes them pain. Bentham's utilitarianism is sometimes titled Act utilitarianism because it focuses on individual actions. According to Betham, a “good” action is one that produces the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people. Where a “bad” action is one that would cause more pain than pleasure. Before a person commits an act, they must consider the consequences it may have on the individual and others. The hedonic calculus is a method for determining how much pleasure or pain an action will cause. The hedonic calculus consists of seven criteria, including intensity, duration, certainty, proximity, fecundity, purity and extent. Each criterion can be assigned a score between -10 (worst pain) and +10 (highest pleasure). Action becomes ethical and moral if there is overall net happiness for all involved. An actor...... middle of paper...... fulfilling his duties to himself, then they are unethical. A prostitute is a person who gives up her freedom by selling herself, which would not fulfill her duty to herself. Kant also believes that if one person uses another as a means to an end, it is unethical. Prostitution is an act by which a client uses a prostitute for his personal benefit or to achieve his ends. Jeremy Bentham's hedonic calculus method uses a calculus to determine whether a certain action is ethical by calculating the pleasure and pain that action would cause. Doing a hedonic calculation on the act of prostitution would show that the prostitute's pain will outweigh the client's pleasure. I agree with both of these philosophers that prostitution is unethical. Prostitution causes a lot of mental and physical harm that in my opinion would make it unethical..