by Robert Solomon

Philosophy

University of Texas at Austin

Your good friend and neighbor, who dearly loves her cat "Muffins," comes home

from work to find the cat missing. For two days, she is nearly hysterical. Then she suffers

a mild depression, but in a week or so, she seems relatively back to normal. "He's

probably found another good home," she rationalizes, and seems at peace with herself.

The next day, you are out walking in the woods nearby and come across the unsightly, mangled remains of what seems to have been Muffins. The little read collar with the "Muffins" name tag settles whatever doubts you may have.

Questions:

Should you tell your friend and neighbor?

What if she were to ask, with a sigh directed to no one in particular, "Whatever do you think happened to Muffins?"

What if she were to ask, looking you right in the eye, "You haven't seen any sign of Muffins, have you?"