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- Thought experiment #1. Imagine a doctor has discovered that a patient has a fatal illness. If the doctor is truthful and tells the patient he is probably going to die, then the patient will become depressed and will increase his chances of dying. But if she lies and tells the patient that the prognosis looks good, then the patient has a very slightly better chance of recovering (although it is still a slim chance).
a. Based on the Module 2 reading, what would Kant’s Formula of Ends require the doctor to? Why?
b. Based on the Module 2 reading, what would Mill’s Principle of Utility require the doctor to do? Why?
c. If you were the patient, what would you prefer your doctor did? Why?