Problem
Here are his four scenarios:
1) Contemplating Suicide: A man reduced to despair by a series of misfortunes feels wearied of life, but is still so far in possession of his reason that he can ask himself whether it would not be contrary to his duty to himself to take his own life.
2) A Lying Promise: Another finds himself forced by necessity to borrow money. He knows that he will not be able to repay it, but sees also that nothing will be lent to him unless he promises stoutly to repay it in a definite time. He desires to make this promise, but he has still so much conscience as to ask himself: "Is it not unlawful and inconsistent with duty to get out of a difficulty in this way?"
3) Wasted Talents: A third finds in himself a talent which with the help of some culture might make him a useful man in many respects. But he finds himself in comfortable circumstances and prefers to indulge in pleasure rather than to take pains in enlarging and improving his happy natural capacities.
4) Helping Others: A fourth, who is in prosperity, while he sees that others have to contend with great wretchedness and that he could help them, thinks: "What concern is it of mine? Let everyone be as happy as Heaven pleases, or as he can make himself; I will take nothing from him nor even envy him, only I do not wish to contribute anything to his welfare or to his assistance in distress!"
Pick one of these four scenarios by Kant and develop your own modern scenario. This new scenario should ask the same kind of moral question posed by your chosen case but it should take place in the modern world. Describe your scenario in at least a paragraph, making sure to point out the relevant similarities to Kant's model case.
Answer the following questions about your case (answers should be at least a paragraph each):
A. What are some possible solutions, or potential actions, that the agent could take in this case? Describe at least two choices. Make sure to include some reasons for why the agent would act in this way.
B. What would Kant say our moral duties are in this case? In order to fully answer this question, first clearly define the one right course of action and then apply one of the two formulations of the Categorical Imperative outlined above to defend your selection.
C. Would Mill provide a different answer? Identify the one right course of action according to Mill and clearly apply the Greatest Happiness Principle in defense of your answer (this will require a clear weighing of utility)