Week 2 Case Studies Assignment
University of Arizona Global Campus
PHI208 Ethics and Moral Reasoning
Part 1: Introduction
For this assignment, I settled on case study #4, "Stealing to Feed One's Family." This subject is taken
from the Victor Hugo classic Les Misérables, which relates the tale of a poor man named Jean Valjean
who unluckily ends himself in prison after stealing a loaf of bread to feed his family. This illustration of
stealing bread serves as a metaphor for doing what is required to meet and provide for one's daily
necessities. This illustration shows how various moral theories may arrive at various conclusions
regarding what is morally appropriate and why. In this assignment, I'll continue by addressing the
main moral debate surrounding a moral dilemma.
Part 2: Ethical Question
The ethical question that I have chosen to discuss is, “Is it moral to steal in order to feed one’s family?”
The main moral debate surrounding this issue is whether or not it is morally acceptable to steal. Taking
something that doesn't belong to you without the owner's permission or consent is considered to be
stealing. However, theft would be morally right when it comes to health concerns and saving the life of
a loved one. The merchant who sells the food and the people who would be eating the food are the
University of Arizona Global Campus
PHI208 Ethics and Moral Reasoning
Part 1: Introduction
For this assignment, I settled on case study #4, "Stealing to Feed One's Family." This subject is taken
from the Victor Hugo classic Les Misérables, which relates the tale of a poor man named Jean Valjean
who unluckily ends himself in prison after stealing a loaf of bread to feed his family. This illustration of
stealing bread serves as a metaphor for doing what is required to meet and provide for one's daily
necessities. This illustration shows how various moral theories may arrive at various conclusions
regarding what is morally appropriate and why. In this assignment, I'll continue by addressing the
main moral debate surrounding a moral dilemma.
Part 2: Ethical Question
The ethical question that I have chosen to discuss is, “Is it moral to steal in order to feed one’s family?”
The main moral debate surrounding this issue is whether or not it is morally acceptable to steal. Taking
something that doesn't belong to you without the owner's permission or consent is considered to be
stealing. However, theft would be morally right when it comes to health concerns and saving the life of
a loved one. The merchant who sells the food and the people who would be eating the food are the
