You were up late last night helping a friend who was very depressed. As a result you didn’t have enough time to study for your ethics test today. You are a good student and plan to go on to medical school next year and, after that, work in an inner-city clinic. You need to pass ethics in order to graduate. When you look at the test you realize you will not be able to pass. However, you notice that you can see the answers of the student sitting in front of you. She is one of the best students in the class. Should you copy her answers? What would Kant say?
a. Yes, you should copy her answers, if you are pretty sure you won’t get caught, because by graduating and becoming a physician you’ll benefit far more people than by failing the course.
b. No, you shouldn’t copy the test answers because it’s against the school’s rules.
c. No, you shouldn’t copy the test answers because it is dishonest.
d. Yes, although in general you have a duty not to cheat, in this situation it is morally acceptable because the reason you weren’t prepared stems from your good will and desire to help a friend in need.
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