In order to clarify the regulative principlea of reason through an ex ample of its empirical use not in order to confirm it (for such proofs are unworkable for transcendental propositions) one may take a vol untary action, eg a malicious lie, through which a person has brought about a certain confusion in society; and one may first investigate its moving causes, through which it arose, judging on that basis how the lie and its consequences could bee imputed to the person.