Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysics of Morals
The assignment asks to read a text which is : https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/kant/#MorFre
Then response to:
Imagine you are the owner of a small business who has recently been enduring the consequences of what is only just being acknowledged as a severe downturn in the economy. Your once busy store has become noticeably less so, and as sales dwindle you are finding yourself increasingly concerned with the near future and your familys welfare. On a particularly slow afternoon in the midst of a depressed reverie, surprised by the door opening, your head jerks up to see a decidedly young, well dressed couple enter the store. Watching for a moment as they begin to browse among your stock of more expensive items, you anxiously walk over to inquire as to whether they need any help. And as they respond, what began as polite conversation soon reveals not only their chronological youth, but their considerable lack of experience as retail consumers Suddenly you feel a gnawing in the pit of your stomach as you realize just how much money could be made because of this.
Your Writing Assignment
Write from the perspective of the owner of a small business described in the imaginative exercise above. Use the numbers provided to organize your work.
1. How would you treat these young people now that you are aware of their ignorance? (Write as if you were composing an ending for the imaginative exercise above.)
2. What justifies their being treated as you describe? Be honest and state your own reasons.
3. Kant makes reference to a dealer or tradesman in the selection of his work that you were asked to read. How does he think they are to treat their customers, especially if they are inexperienced? Quote his work in order to support your view.
4. What, then, is the principle of morality, that Kant reasons to and names, which applies to the example of the business owner? Quote the principle in full.
