Make up a dialogue of the great philosophers, choosing representatives from each of the historical periods we have studied: ancient (Aristotle, Confucuius, Buddha), medieval (Aquinas), modern (Hume, Bentham, Mill, Kant), and contemporary (Gilligan, Kohlberg, Foot). Have them discuss one or two issues of moral theory. (You may use the Doctrine of Double Effect instead of Aquinas for a medieval perspective.) Your dialogue must be a real debate (not just long-winded monologues) and must be 5-7 typed double-spaced pages with one inch margins and a 12-point font. A checksheet is required.
Study Questions for Your In-Class Final
Tuesday, May 13, 1-3 in Admin 227 (honors) and same day, 3:30-5:30 (section 8). Four questions will be chosen from the list below.
You must provide your own blue exam booklets and you must bring a clean study questions sheet with you.
1. Explain and critique Aquinas' argument for the first law of morality. Give both the short and long form of the argument. Give your own critique of this argument. What is David Hume's critique?
2. Please evaluate Scriven’s proof for his rational agapeism. What is his argument that his position is superior to theological agapeism? Do you agree with him on this? Do you think that Scriven has a plausible answer to the example given in class: to wit: Would not we want to save the Commander-in-Chief even if it means the death of many soldiers under him?
3. Please assess the analogical argument for theological eudaimonism. Is there a way to rephrase the numerators and denominators such that the argument is more successful? Is theological eudaimonism the correct moral theory for Christianity?
4. For a fee of $10,000 a woman signs a contract with a childless couple and agrees to be artificially inseminated with the man's sperm and carry the child to term. She also agrees to hand over the baby when it is born. How would a utilitarian respond to the morality of this action? Using the first two forms of the categorical imperative, how would a Kantian respond? Would it make any difference if the surrogate mother were close friend or relative and did not take a fee?
5. Baby Ashley was born with only a brain stem (20% of the normal brain) and had no prospects of any personal life whatsoever. Baby Doe was born mildly retarded with an easily correctable throat problem. Baby Fae was born with a severe heart defect which could only be repaired by a virtually untested surgical technique. Using Puccetti's types of persons, decide what sort of persons these babies are. (Remember that a potential person must have the potential to become a person.) Then use Kant's second formulation of the categorical imperative to decide what our moral obligations are to them. (Please remind me to say more about these babies in class.)
6. Discuss the basic issues between moral voluntarism and moral rationalism. Some reject moral rationalism on the grounds that the rationalist view of human nature is sexist. Explain how moral voluntarism might support a nonsexist view of human nature. How does Lessing's statement "the passions make us equal" apply to this question?
7. Discuss the differences in the ethics of self-sacrifice as supported by Jesus, Mill, and Scriven. You will recall that Scriven believes that the hedonic calculus requires that we sacrifice our life in order to save the lives of two others. How do you think Scriven would respond to critics who propose that his view would also require that we must freely give up vital organs that could be used to save many patients in need of them?
8. Consider the following scenario: there is a burning house with three children inside and the fire chief has determined that it is too dangerous to attempt to save the children. A Kantian stands separately at a distance and ponders his absolute duty to preserve life. He concludes that just as it is irrational not to do one's duty so it is likewise irrational to do more than one's duty. A utilitarian is also standing separately at a distance and her hedonic calculator is beeping red, indicating that the dolors outweigh the hedons. One minute after these decisions have been made, a person rushes in and grabs the children and comes out with only minor burns. How would the others respond after the successful rescue? Could they have possibly made a different decision? What would the follower of the Doctrine of Double Effect do in this instance?
9. Explain Gilligan's critique of Kohlberg's theory of moral development. Do you think she succeeds in demonstrating that Kohlberg's position implicitly discriminates against women? How do you think Gilligan would respond to those who would call her an "essentialist"? How would Hume respond?
10. Discuss the strengths and liabilities of "equality" and "difference" feminism. What does Confucianism and Buddhism contribute to this debate? Does the third alternative of vocational virtue solve anything, or does it still have problems? What theory would you support to eliminate the inequalities and discrimination against women that still exist in our society?
11.
Kant: "Even the Holy One of the Gospels must be compared with our ideal of moral perfection before he is recognized as such." What moral theory does this passage represent? Do you agree with Kant? If not, why not?12. Compare and contrast the Buddha and Hume on theory of reality, theory of knowledge, and theory of value.
13. Krishna and Meeta are happily married (in a civil ceremony) and Ram is their closest friend. Krishna has a serious accident and one of the results is that he is no longer able to sexually satisfy Meeta. After some deliberation they ask Ram if he, out of friendship for them, is willing to become Meeta's lover. Ram, a single man, very reluctantly accepts their offer. Do these people violate the first and/or the second formulation of Kant's categorical imperative? You must give maxims for each and be generous in formulating their own rules for acting. (Even if you decide against them, it should not be necessary to use the word "adultery" at all.) For the second formulation you must determine whether there is sufficient respect for persons.
14. Make up your own example (with substantial moral content) that passes the Doctrine of Double Effect. What is your opinion of the fourth criterion? Why might it not consistent with the basic principles of the DDE? As an alternative to your own example take the examples of the cancerous womb and the ectopic pregnancy and demonstrate how they either fit or not follow the DDE.