Case 5. A Black Sheep in the Fold

Julius, a boy being educated in a certain college, one day approached Caius, a master, and asked that he might consult him under secrecy. When Caius consented, Julius indicated another, very wicked boy in the college who was corrupting the others by teaching them a certain most grave sin and crime. Caius answered that Julius was bound to denounce that boy to the superiors; the latter, however, denied that he would do that or anything else that would bring the boy into danger. When Caius made no progress with Julius, he began to think about his own obligations in the case. Hence it is asked:

1. What is a secret, and what is its obligation?

2. Is it lawful to reveal a secret, and is it sometimes obligatory?

3. What is to be said of the case?

1. This question is answered on p. 337.

2. This question is answered on p. 338.

3. The case. The only way of preventing very serious harm being done in the future among the boys of the college is to denounce the bad boy to the authorities. Julius is bound to do this in the first place, but he refuses to do his duty. Under these circumstances the public good requires that Caius should undertake the task. The obligation even of a strict secret ceases in such circumstances. Caius should therefore inform the authorities about what he has heard from Julius.