Philosophy
Write a 1000-1500 paper on the following topic
Kant and Mill: Advice Columnists
The New York Times has a column called “Ask the Ethicist,” in which people seek advice from Kwame Anthony Appiah (Links to an external site.), a philosopher at New York University. Below are two of the letters requesting advice.
Letter:
My husband and I have been friends with another couple for many years. We have spent vacations together as well as many holidays. My friend and I are very close — like sisters. Recently a mutual acquaintance who knows my friend’s husband well told me that he has been cheating on my friend on and off for years with someone who once worked with him.
I know that if I reveal this information, my friend will take their child and leave her husband. Do I sit on this information and pretend the affair isn’t happening, or do I tell her?
From this letter,What do you think would be the advice that Mill and Kant would give to this person? Would you agree with either philosopher on this advice?
Make sure you explain your answers and argue for your view.
NOTE: For the Kant part of your answer, please discuss only one of the formulas of the categorical imperative.
Further instructions and resources:
- Make sure to properly cite the authors you are discussing. You can use any standard citation format (such as APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.). For For Mill’s Utilitarianism, we are using the version that appears in earlymoderntexts.com. Instructions on how to cite this work can be found here(Links to an external site.). For Kant’s Groundwork, the bibliographical information can be found at the footer of every page.
