Question

In rwanda, a farmer is hiding a group of persecuted tutsis from a hutu military commander. the farmer believes that he has to always tell the truth, and that this is a categorical imperative. if the hutu commander asks if he has any hidden tutsis, and he tells the truth, who is to blame for the tutsis' capture according to kantian theory? the farmer, because saving lives is more important than respecting duty. the tutsis who are hiding because it was unethical of them to take advantage of the farmer the rwandans who started the war that led to these circumstances

Answer 1

The Kantian theory is very particular with the sens of duty as the gauge of morality. It doesn't matter if the act itself is good or bad. If it is our duty to do such act, then that is considered morally right. That is categorical imperative. For example, we are told to follow the ten commandments. It is the duty of the Catholics. So, whatever the reason behind not following the commandment is, it is morally wrong.

Hence, it is the tutsis' fault because the farmer's duty is to save lives. He has the right moral compass. On the other hand, the tutsis should take full responsibility.