Philosophy 100: Introduction to Philosophy Kant Craig Fox

Some exercises for working with Kant’s categorical imperative:

(1) A woman is at work. She sees her friend (and co-worker), who happens to have a large family, take a couple of dollars from the office’s coffee money. He explains that he just needed two dollars to take the train home; payday isn’t until next week.

The boss finds the money missing. Knowing the employee’s financial troubles, she confronts the woman: “Did you see him taking the money?” The woman says that she did not.

Morally evaluate this situation (i) with respect to the woman, and (ii) with respect to the man.

(2) An innocent (and weak and small) man is being chased by two muggers. He rounds a corner to go down an alley, when he almost runs directly into a rather large man (7’ tall). The pursued man then positions himself behind the large man, so that the muggers (now just around the corner) would need to get past him first.

Morally evaluate this situation (i) with respect to the pursued man, (ii) and with respect to the muggers.

(3) Your parents tell you to “Always be nice.”

Are they acting (morally) correctly?

(4) You are in the middle of studying for your Phil 103 exam. Your roommate’s finals are all over, and she is watching a movie. Your landlord calls, asking you to meet him downstairs in twenty minutes with this month’s rent.

You suggest to your roommate that she go and wait for the landlord, so that you can study.

Evaluate the moral status of your suggestion.

(5) Your parents tell you to “Always be polite, or else people will think that we didn’t raise you correctly.”

Are they acting (morally) correctly?

(6) Your brother has committed a crime. He has come to your apartment to tell you about it, and he feels horrible. The police arrive, looking for your brother.

You tell the police that your brother is upstairs, and he is arrested.

Morally evaluate your action.