Sunday, August 14, 2011

Philosophy 101- Utilitarian vs Kantian?

Several years ago a man walked into the U.S. capitol building and opened fire on the guards, one of whom was killed. The man was taken into custody and later determined to be seriously mentally ill. The man's lawyers argued that their client cannot be forced to take drugs to alleviate the symptoms of his mental illness as he will not consent to taking them--and since he is not competent to attend trial he sits in legal limbo. Indeed, if he takes his medication he will be tried for murder and very likely convicted of at least second-degree murder, which carries a prison sentence; if he does not have access to medication he will suffer from his mental illness for the rest of his life. Now consider this question: Should the man be forced to take medication for his mental illness? What would a utilitarian most likely answer this question? What would a Kantian (a follower of Kant's moral philosophy) say (think about the second form of the categorical imperative)?

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