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What is AskPhilosophers? This site puts the talents and knowledge of philosophers at the service of the general public. Send in a question that you think might be related to philosophy and we will do our best to respond to it. To date, there have been 1989 questions posted and 2604 responses. [more]

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There is a teacher in our school who often forgets if he gave us homework. The majority of the class takes advantage of this. I do not.
Am I a fool for not wanting to use somebody's weakness against them? If we continue to do the same lesson over and over like we are doing now, we will not learn anything new, but I will get a little less homework on my plate every night. We read the same stories, never get homework due to his forgetfulness. Are the actions of the class IYO, immoral? Is it Immoral to use someone's weakness against his or herself for your own benefit?

Response from Oliver Leaman on November 17, 2007
Not necessarily, since using others' weakness is often a legitimate way of getting things we deserve. If someone in authority can be swayed to do what is right by playing on a weakness, there is no reason why we should not do so. The important issue here is whether the activity connected to the weakness is ethical or otherwise. If as you think it is hardly in your interest, or those of your colleagues, to repeat the same lesson a good deal, or to avoid homework which is after all useful in passing future examinations, then playing on the weakness is not to the pupils' long term advantage. This is surely the nub of the issue, and you are not a fool for wishing to get this work well grasped by you through homework and so get in a position to move onto something new and perhaps more interesting.

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