1 Introduction and Trolley problem (1)

odp

School

Mount Holyoke College *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

101

Subject

Philosophy

Date

Oct 30, 2023

Type

odp

Pages

30

Uploaded by CommodorePencilQuail37

Report
Welcome to Introduction to Philosophy! Phil 101 The most interesting subject you will ever take.
This class is for you if... You have not done philosophy before, and are interested in finding out what it is! Students who have liked philosophy have still found this class to be fun and informative, but I designed it with those who are new to philosophy in mind.
The point of this class. The purpose of this class is to show you what philosophy is and to let you know whether you'll find it interesting! By the end, you should know whether or not you like this way of thinking and studying.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
  • Access to all documents
  • Unlimited textbook solutions
  • 24/7 expert homework help
What we will do. We will study three topics, covering a range of philosophical questions: ● Ethics: What ought I to do? What does it mean to say that I ought to do one thing rather than another? ● Epistemology: (theory of knowledge): Do I know anything? If so what? How? ● Metaphysics: What is there? Is the world only physical? Am I free?
What you need to do: ● Do the readings, they're on Moodle and in the textbook. There is one for every class. ● Do the Quizzes. ● Do the readings before class, then go to class. ● Show up and talk and think. ● Talk to one another, and other students, about this stuff.
How this course is evaluated ● There are three quizzes. ● They are in-class. ● I’ll give plenty of help for the first one. ● Each covers one of the three topics we’ll cover. ● They’re not difficult.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
  • Access to all documents
  • Unlimited textbook solutions
  • 24/7 expert homework help
Another thing to do... ● Many people find the issues in this class interesting. ● Some don't. ● If you do, talk about these things. Make friends, try to be as social as circumstances allow.
About me. ● My name is Sam Mitchell. You may call me 'Sam' if you like. ● My e-mail is smitchel@mtholyoke.edu , note there is only on 'l' here. ● My office is 217c Skinner, I have office hours before class. ● My tedious history. ● I cannot remember anyone's name. ● You cannot read my writing. ● I cannot spell.
It is important to talk and make friends in college. So take a minute to get to know your neighbors.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
  • Access to all documents
  • Unlimited textbook solutions
  • 24/7 expert homework help
The Book ● It’s good ● Consider keeping it, it’s interesting later in life. ● Second hand is fine, try to get a paper copy. ● Not 1 st edition.
Our first topic: Ethics. Here's a puzzle.
Suppose you had five patients...
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
  • Access to all documents
  • Unlimited textbook solutions
  • 24/7 expert homework help
Alas, they will all die... ● One needs a heart transplant ● One needs a liver transplant ● One needs a lung transplant ● One needs some new arteries ● One needs a pancreas They're all the same tissue type, they just need a donor.
Unless... ● You're doing a procedure on a worthless old jerk (see below) ● He's the right tissue type!
and moreover... ● the machine is broken. ● If you push a button, it will secretly kill the worthless guy! ● He'll die, and nobody will suspect. ● And he's a donor! ● So all his bits will save the lives of the other five patients!
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
  • Access to all documents
  • Unlimited textbook solutions
  • 24/7 expert homework help
Should you push the button?
The Trolley problem.
What would you do? Would you move the lever and have only one person die, or leave it alone, and have five people die?
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
  • Access to all documents
  • Unlimited textbook solutions
  • 24/7 expert homework help
The Fat Man on the bridge:
Would you push off the fat man? He's fat enough to derail the trolley and save the lives of the victims!
Aren't the three cases identical, except for irrelevant features? Why not push the button? Why not push off the fat man? Is there a real difference between the cases? A difference so significant that it's worth four lives?
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
  • Access to all documents
  • Unlimited textbook solutions
  • 24/7 expert homework help
Moral dilemmas ● In some trolley problems, it seems obvious what we ought to do. The problem is that there is a conflict with other examples. ● But sometimes, a single example presents a dilemma within itself. ● Important: In a good example of a moral dilemma, it ought not to be obvious what to do. ● So a moral dilemma is not a choice between doing the right and the wrong thing.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
  • Access to all documents
  • Unlimited textbook solutions
  • 24/7 expert homework help
Not this...
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
  • Access to all documents
  • Unlimited textbook solutions
  • 24/7 expert homework help
But rather this...
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
  • Access to all documents
  • Unlimited textbook solutions
  • 24/7 expert homework help
An example (from a former student) ● I'm going out with this boy. I'm not really interested in him but there's nobody else around. He knows this, and wants to stay together. ● His mom wants us to stay together too, and we've kind-of become friends. And our group of friends, want us to stay together because it would be awkward if we broke up. ● But if I met someone interesting I'd dump him. I feel like I should really dump him if I feel this way. ● But that would upset everyone, his mom, my friends, and him. And I wouldn’t be any happier, really.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
  • Access to all documents
  • Unlimited textbook solutions
  • 24/7 expert homework help
Should I dump the guy?
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
  • Access to all documents
  • Unlimited textbook solutions
  • 24/7 expert homework help
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
  • Access to all documents
  • Unlimited textbook solutions
  • 24/7 expert homework help
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
  • Access to all documents
  • Unlimited textbook solutions
  • 24/7 expert homework help
For next time... ● Think up a moral dilemma and bring it to class. ● It can be one you have faced, or one based on one you have faced. At least try to think of one that is important to you, perhaps one that happened to someone you know. ● If you're uncomfortable presenting such a thing to other people, it's fine to think up something impersonal, maybe from policy or political contexts.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
  • Access to all documents
  • Unlimited textbook solutions
  • 24/7 expert homework help
Also for next time... ● Think about the question “Is it morally permissible to have an abortion?” ● This is a very complicated and difficult question. Some people think the circumstances make a differences. If you agree, think about which circumstances matter. ● Try to think of what both sides to the question would argue.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
  • Access to all documents
  • Unlimited textbook solutions
  • 24/7 expert homework help

Related Documents

Rousseau.pdf
Critical Thinking 5 - Termination.docx
nitzsche.pdf
4 marquis on abortion (1).ppt
3 Thompson on abortion slides.ppt
8 moralLuck.ppt
FirstQuizF21.docx
9 Street (1).pptx
6 Against Util.ppt
Fear_of_Change-2.jpg
Analysis using Association.docx
Book Report (1).pdf

Browse Popular Homework Q&A

Q: 3. Find the degree measure of the angle given in radians, and draw the angle in standard position.…
Q: You are conducting a test of the claim that the row variable and the column variable are dependent…
Q: If the uniform cabinet has weight of 200 lb, and the coefficient of static friction between the…
Q: Returm Next Which of the following graphs can represent h (z) choose your answer..
Q: 3. Using the equation AI(NO3)3 + MgBr2 ► Mg(NO3)2 + o ov AlBr3 a. Find the number of moles Al(NO3)3…
Q: What is Normalization in SQL?
Q: A home mortgage of $143,000 with a fixed APR of 6% for 30 years. Fill out the table. End of...…
Q: The table below shows a stem-and-leaf diagram for the test scores of students in Liberal Arts Math.…
Q: defective with probability 0.1, independently of any other item. What bability that in a sample of…
Q: Q.7 For the given parameters 'P' = 3 and 'Q' = 19 find the value of 'e' and 'd' using RSA algorithm…
Q: Why is it a terrible idea to start a restaurant?
Q: What are some of the legal restrictions on how organizations can recruit employees?
Q: Log Graphs Match the following functions with the general shape of their graphs. A E Functions f(x)…
Q: If 2 pencils and 3 pens are 78¢. But 3 pencils and 2 pens are 72¢. How much is 1 pencil?
Q: 2. Find the radian measure of the angle given in degrees, and draw the angle in standard position.…
Q: Determine the wave's amplitude, wavelength, frequency, and the direction and speed of propagation.
Q: 2. Find the general solution. a) a' = -(2/t)x+t. b) y'+y=e². c) x² + 2tx=e-t² 1. First-Order…
Q: What is the TMJ?  What is unusual about this joint and why is it important?
Q: Before setting out to resolve an issue, you should identify. that are relevant to the situation. the…
Q: Solve 2 cos² (2) + 5 cos(z) + 2 = 0 using the Quadratic Formula. Fill in the missing information to…
Q: 5. What kinds of bonds bind these bases together? What kinds of bonds bind the sugar phosphate…
Q: Discuss the Other Elements of Computer Graphics.
Q: You are conducting a test of the claim that the row variable and the column variable are dependent…
Q: 1. Use the trading data for Friday, October 20 and Friday, October 27 to answer the questions.…
Q: Stacey's cell phone bill is automatically deducting $81 from her bank account each month. How much…