Questions on Grotius

1) Read section XI carefully. What role does the concept of rights play in his argument? What right does deception take away? What role does consent play?

2)According to Grotius, what exceptions are there to the rule “Do not deceive?” Can you think of examples of each kind? How does the argument in section XI make possible the exceptions in sections XII-IX?

3) Compare how Grotius describes cases where a lie is told to prevent someone from being injured to how Aquinas discusses these cases. How are they different?

4) How does Grotius regard the difference between saying something false and speaking truthfully with intent to deceive? How does his position compare to that of Aquinas and Augustine? See especially Section XVII.

5) Why do you think promises and oaths are treated differently than lying?

6) What role does the concept of virtue play in Section XX?

On Kant:

1) Why does Kant deny the claim that a lie is only wrong if it hurts someone?

2) Why does Kant claim that we should not tell a lie even to a would-be murderer who comes to the door and asks if his would be victim is inside? How does Kant’s distinction between “doing right” and “doing harm” apply to the previous question?

One page paper: Compare Grotius and Kant on the question when lying is morally permissible.