Week 3 Discussion 1: Heroes or Villains?
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Please read the general discussion requirements above, as well as the weekly announcement. If anything is still unclear, let me know!
(This discussion will require you to have carefully read Chapter 4 of the textbook, as well as the assigned portions of Immanuel Kants (2008) Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals.)
Think of someone fictional whom we might regard as a hero for helping others, stopping something bad from happening, etc. Try to think of someone whose actions violated what would normally be considered a moral rule (focus on morality; dont simply think of someone who broke the law).
For example, they may have lied, broken a promise, stolen, harmed someone innocent, or even murdered, but done so with good intentions. (Be sure to clearly explain both sides of this example what seems good and what seems morally questionable about the action.)
Try to think of any example that we would either all be familiar with, or something we can easily look up (in other words, dont just make something up or describe something generic). Think of characters in movies, TV shows, books, etc. Please try not to use an example that someone else has already used!
Engage with the text:
Once you have thought of your example, evaluate what they did according to Kants Categorical Imperative. First, explain the formula of the Categorical Imperative that you are using. Is what the person did moral, or immoral, according to Kant? (You may focus on either formulation of the C.I.)
Reflect on yourself:
Do you agree with the heros action?
If you think Kant would regard it as immoral and you agree, how would you explain to someone in your own words why what they did was wrong despite the good intentions and effects? If you dont agree, and think that what they did was morally right, how would you respond to the question, what if everyone did that?
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