Overview
Aaliyah's neighbor's house was robbed. The police ask to review her home security camera footage, which would also reveal private details about her own family's daily life. Her footage likely captured the suspect.
The Choice
Should Aaliyah sacrifice her privacy to help solve a crime?
Quick Stats
- Grade Band
- Grades 9-12
- Reading Level
- Level 11.95739949748744
- Word Count
- 398 words
- Published
- Mar 23, 2026
The Dilemma
Last Tuesday, the Okafor family next door came home to find their house had been broken into. Irreplaceable family heirlooms were stolen. The police believe the crime occurred during a two-hour window when Aaliyah's front-door security camera would have recorded anyone approaching the Okafors' house. Detective Reyes asks Aaliyah's family for the footage. The problem is that the camera also captures everything happening at their own front door during that period — including her younger brother sneaking out, which would create a family conflict, and footage of a family argument that occurred on the porch. Aaliyah's parents are divided. Her mother wants to help the Okafors; her father values the family's privacy and worries about what else the police might notice.
Values in Tension
This dilemma explores the tension between two important values:
Consider how these values might conflict or complement each other in this situation.
Your Options
Share the footage to help solve the crime and protect the community.
Decline to share it to protect her family's privacy.
Questions for Reflection
Take a moment to consider these questions. There are no "right" answers – the goal is to explore different perspectives and develop your own reasoning.
- 1
Does Aaliyah's family have a moral duty to assist in a criminal investigation?
- 2
How does Kant's concept of dignity apply to both the Okafors and Aaliyah's family?
- 3
Can privacy be considered a requirement for autonomous moral agency?
- 4
What would a universalized maxim of "always share evidence" look like? What about "always protect privacy"?
- 5
Is there a way to fulfill the duty to justice without completely sacrificing privacy?
Did you like this dilemma?
Philosophical Perspective
Insights from Immanuel Kant
Take a moment to form your own thoughts first, then click to explore philosophical perspectives.