1.In Victor Hugo's novel, Les Miserables, the Jean Valjean steals bread to feed his sister's children during a time of economic depression. Jean Valjean's maxim seems to be something like "I will still bread if my family is starving."
Apply the categorical imperative to Jean Valjean's action. Was it wrong according to Kant? Explain why or why not? Can Valjean's maxim be universalized without contradiction? Is Valjean respecting the autonomy of the grocer?
2.Watch the following clip from Seinfeld. Would Kant have approved of Kramer's decision to park in the disabled-parking spot? Apply the categorical imperative. Kramer's maxim seems to be "When it inconvenient to do otherwise, I will park in the disabled-parking spot even though I am not disabled." Can Kramer's maxim be universalized? If not, why not?
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