SECTION 1
Write a detailed answer, description or explanation of five of the following questions or topics. Be sure to say something about the relevance of the term to a moral problem or theory from class. (To explain relevance, please use examples to supplement your answer where appropriate). You should not use extended quotes or external sources for your answers. You should also not copy material from my class notes and turn it in as your own answers. YOU need to answer the questions. Better answers to these questions will be more detailed in their explanation and discussion of each of the topics. write between a half page and a page for each of the five topics you choose.
1. Explain the Cultural Differences argument and Rachels’ critique of the argument.
2. What is the Competent Judge? What philosopher discusses this and why?
3. What is the concept of impartiality and how does it get dealt with by utilitarianism and egoism?
4. Drowning Child Example. What is it? Apply Utilitarianism and Egoism to the example, explaining how each theory might evaluate it. What philosopher uses this example to motivate one of his key premises?
5. Explain the “lack of ability to morally judge other cultures” objection to cultural relativism.
6. Ethical Objectivism vs. Ethical Relativism: explain the difference. Also, give and explain an example of a theory that is an objectivist theory and a different theory that is an ethical relativist theory.
7. What does the “Doctrine of the Swine” refer to? Explain the idea behind this and the response it generates.
8. Explain the Strong and the Weak Versions of Singer’s Principle to Help Others. What is marginal utility?
9. The Unjust Objection (e.g. Punishing the Innocent) and the Integrity Objection to utilitarianism: explain each one. Defend whether you think each is a good objection to utilitarianism.
10. Explain the difference between Ethical Egoism and Psychological Egoism.
SECTION 2
Complete the questions below about the scenario. The questions should be organized as ONE essay under each paragraph(not a series of answers). In a minimum of 5 full pages, answer the following questions. In your answers, be sure to define and explain the terms and arguments you’re discussing. Better essays will write more than the 4 page minimum. Grade Criteria for Essays is attached.
(Recommendations: take your time to write the essay; consider writing a minimum of a separate paragraph for each question that is asked of you; use examples when appropriate; remember that content and completeness are the most important elements to the essay and that it should read like an essay, i.e. be a coherent and connected piece; proofread/reread your essay before handing it in). Grade criteria/rubric document attached.
(1) Consider the following example:
John needs money to buy medicine for his child; otherwise, his child may suffer due to lack of medical care. The only person John can borrow money from is from a man named David. However, David will not lend money to John unless John solemnly promises to pay David back within the next week – no extensions. John knows that he will not be able to repay David in this time period (if ever). John deliberates as to whether he should make a false promise to David (thereby getting the money to afford medicine for his child) or refrain from making any such false promises.
***Note: For the purposes of this question, take the example at face value. Do not add, subtract or change any variables, nor should you invest time thinking of a 3rd option. Also, do not suppose that David and John are friends such that you need to consider duties of friendship or implications of that. David is just a person John can get money from.
Given the above example, cover the following points in one complete essay:
1. What would Ethical Egoism assess as the correct moral decision?
2. Explain, in detail, how Ethical Egoism would come to this decision.
3. What would Utilitarian ethics assess as the correct moral decision?
4. How would Utilitarian ethics come to that decision?
5. By your own evaluation, what decision is the morally correct one? Why?
6. What moral theory seems more compelling or correct to you?
7. What moral theory seems the most problematic and why?
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