I was reading a schlock spy novel this morning, in which one of the characters tells a joke to another character. Since Brian Leiter's mention of my blog in his blog has brought a number of philosophers to this site, I thought I would repeat the joke, because it raises an interesting and completely unimportant philosophical question, which is exactly right for a blog, yes?
JOKE: Two lawyers go into a bank together to do some business. While they are there, an armed gunman holds up the bank and says, "Line up and empty your pockets. I am going to take all of your cash." The first lawyer stuffs a handful of cash into the second lawyer's pocket. The second lawyer says, "What are you doing?" The first lawyer replies, "This is everything I owe you."
Philosophical question: Has the first lawyer satisfactorily fulfilled his moral obligation to the second lawyer?"
If any lawyers are reading this, has the first lawyer fulfilled his legal obligation to the second lawyer?
