Topic 3. Consider the following example: John needs money to buy medicine for his child; otherwise, his child may suffer due to lack of medical care. The only person John can borrow money from is from a man named David. However, David will not lend money to John unless John solemnly promises to pay David back within the next weekno extensions. John knows that he will not be able to repay David in this time period (if ever). John deliberates as to whether he should make a false promise to David (thereby getting the money to afford medicine for his child) or refrain from making any such false promises.
Given the above example, cover the following points in one essay (do not turn in a series or list of answers, rather, write an essay):
1. What would Utilitarian ethics, Kantian ethics, and Virtue Theory assess as the correct moral decision? Apply each of these theories to the scenario, explaining and analyzing how they might apply.
2. By your own evaluation, what decision is the morally correct one? Why? Defend your position.
3. Which of these moral theories seems more compelling or correct to you? Defend your position.
4. What moral theory seems the most problematic and why (you might consider the objections to these views we have studied in class)?
