Kantian and Utilitarian Ethics in the film On the Basis of Sex

Abstract

The following paper analyzes On the Basis of Sex through the lens of Kantian ethics and utilitarianism set against the backdrop of Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s fight for gender equality. In the film, Ginsburg challenges gender discrimination in the legal system, starting with the case of Charles Moritz, where he is denied a tax exemption due to the assumption that caregiving is an inherent female role. This short paper was completed as an extra credit assignment for Dr. Rosenlee’s Philosophy and Film class at UH West Oahu. In this class we examine films from a philosophical perspective. When approaching this assignment, I focused on how Ginsburg’s legal battles align with Immanuel Kant’s concept of universal moral laws and John Stuart Mill’s utilitarianism. Combining these ethical frameworks, the paper highlights how Ginsburg’s legal work advances not only personal justice but also the greater good of a more equitable society.