Huckleberry Finn
Huck tells a small lie in order to save someone in trouble (man on the boat). He tells a small lie, because he doesn't want to get involved himself. The reason being, the danger is too high. Self preservation must be a priority.
I can personally relate to this situation. Can I tell a small lie? One that would put events into motion, that could help in a life-threatening situation. I once started a rumor that a man was cheating on his girlfriend. Their relationship was both physically and verbally abusive. My hope was that through the gossip, she would end the relationship.
In Kantian Ethics this goes against the formula of Universal Law, or …show more content…
Meaning that if I were the one in danger, I wouldn't want someone to go and tell a lie to save me, I would want the person who is able to intervene. Kant states that if everyone acted like this, then it would promote a society where help is always given when needed.
Your SECOND topic posts in the Discussion Forum this week.
Provide a modern example of a Categorical Imperative in your life or culture.
The Categorical Imperative example I ponder is online purchasing. As a person living in the United States, most things I purchase online are manufactured in a country ruled by a dictatorship. Every penny I spend fuels an evil giant. Who's track record grows evermore ominous every year? Even though I get goods for cheap.
To put through the lens of Kant.
Formula of Universal Law: If everyone adopts this maxim, then the world will be fueling a dictatorship. This could lead to the normalization of dictatorships.
Generalize the maxim into a law of