PHIL105 2021 5WK Final EXAM-1
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PHIL105 5WK SUMMER 2021 / FINAL EXAM (150 PTS)
INSTRUCTIONS:
This examination is comprehensive and covers material found in the required readings, overviews, and assignments.
This exam is open book and open notes.
During the exam, you may use your notes, course readings, and any required documents or links posted on our course site. All work should be your own and you may not use the internet (other than assigned required links from the course site) or collaborate in any way. You answers will be assessed on accuracy, clarity, and thoroughness. In Part II, you answers will also be assessed on focus and use of evidence.
This exam is designed to take a well-prepared student approximately 3-4 hours to complete. Think of it as
a ‘final worksheet’ – a chance to consolidate and articulate what you’ve learned in unit 2.
There is no time limit, and you may stop and start as often as you would like.
Plagiarism or indication of internet use beyond the course materials will result in a zero for that section of
the exam and, depending on the gravity, a zero for the course as a whole as well as administrative proceedings.
Please see FCC’s website if you have any questions about what constitutes plagiarism.
Late exams will not be accepted under any circumstances – if you are not finished by the deadline, submit
what you have.
Please write your exam directly onto this word document UNDER THE QUESTION you are answering. Do not delete any aspect of this exam and turn in the entire document in WORD.
Save as a pdf entitled:
Last Name_Date_Exam
Submit via Blackboard no later than Monday August 16 @ midnight.
Sign and date here to acknowledge the above.
NAME: Chris Blowe
DATE: 8/14/2021
PART I: NORMATIVE ETHICS 1 (3 points each = 90 points)
THESE QUESTIONS ASK YOU TO DEMONSTRATE YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE THREE MAIN NORMATIVE ETHICAL THEORIES (UTILITARIANISM, DEONTOLOGY AND VIRTUE) AND THE COROLLARY THEORIES (NATURAL LAW, SOCIAL CONTRACT, CARE, RELIGION) WE STUDIED IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE TERM.
THE QUESTIONS BELOW COVER MATERIAL FROM PART II OF THE TEXTBOOK, THE REQUIRED ARTICLES AND READINGS, AND OVERVIEW MATERIALS PROVIDED BY THE INSTRUCTOR. THESE QUESTIONS HAVE PRECISE CORRECT ANSWERS. HOWEVER, UNLIKE IN EXAM 1, SOME ANSWERS MAY NOT BE FOUND DIRECTLY IN THE TEXTBOOK BUT WILL REQUIRE A DEGREE OF SYNETHESIS.
~25 words each (most will be far less)
1. Normative ethical theories are generally assessed according to four main criteria. List and briefly define each of them. Answer: The 4 main criteria for normative ethical theories are Completeness which is a theory that should
encompass and support the entire range of meaning full moral claims, Explanatory Power a theory that should give us insight into what makes something moral or immoral, Practicability which is a theory that should be useful in actual practice, and finally Moral Confirmation a theory that should fit with our deepest, clearest, and most widely shared moral intuitions.
2. What is the key difference between rule utilitarianism and act utilitarianism? Answer: The key difference between rule utilitarianism and act utilitarianism is that rule utilitarianism assesses the effects of general rules and practice and not any specific acts meaning it’s saying that the morally right thing to do is to follow the rules regardless of the specific situation. While act utilitarianism says that right acts depend on the details of each situation which means act utilitarianism must approve of promise breaking like the rules when it would best promote overall utility.
3. What are three main critiques of act utilitarianism? List and briefly describe. (I will accept textbook or Pojman/learning module critiques) Answer: Act utilitarianism has three main critiques, and they are Calculations, Moral Saints, and Justice, Promises, and Rights. Calculations is how accurately can we determine the scope, intensity, and duration of several actions in advance, Moral Saints is when a cluster of problems arises from extensive moral demands act utilitarianism places upon us by turning every action we take and turning it into a moral decision or issue, and the final critique of act utilitarianism is Justice, Promises and Rights which is act utilitarianism supporting our moral intuitions that lying, murder, breaking contracts, and cheating is wrong but in certain situations these things can prove to be right instead.
4. Why do some people argue that rule utilitarianism isn’t really utilitarianism at all? Answer: Some people argue that rule utilitarianism isn’t really utilitarianism because rule utilitarianism has too many rules that contradict and go against utilitarianism itself.
5. To get an accurate measure of positive utility, Jeremy Bentham suggested we take into account seven categories of a course of action’s impact. Today, most ethicists have simplified these into about FOUR aspects of utility. What are they? List and give a brief definition. Answer: The four aspects of utility that most ethicists use currently are scope the individuals that are affected by an act, Duration the time period over which an effect lasts, Intensity the degree of strength or force of an experience, and finally probability the chance or likelihood of an effect actually taking place.
6. One of the overwhelming critiques of utilitarianism is its failure to incorporate justice. Use the Summers case to illustrate a justice critique
of utilitarianism. Answer
: A justice critique of the summer's case in utilitarianism is not being fair to the people of third world countries by dumping their pollution and trash in the water. 7. How does the Pinto case illustrate the measurement critiques
of utilitarianism? Explain at least two kinds of measurement critiques and how they would be applied in the Pinto case. The first measurement critique I noticed is the loss formula that was presented from the Ford Pinto gas tank study. Ford claimed that the study revealed a higher loss to society if they were to fix their mistakes. Towards the beginning of the article there is another formula that calculated the cost of fixing the Pinto gas tanks, but Ford decided that it was too expensive to save lives and negligently continued to ignore the problem.
8. Deontological theories reject consequences as the basis for morality. What do they emphasize instead? Answer: Deontological theories reject consequences as the basis for morality by emphasizing what determines right and wrong, by identifying right kinds of acts and moral duties and not by considering the
consequences.
9. What is the Good Will? How does it explain Kant’s position on inclinations and motives? Answer: Good Will is choosing to do something precisely because it is one’s moral duty because it is morally right. It explains Kant’s position on inclinations and motives by stating the three boy scouts wanting to help the old lady across the street, all three of them did but their motives to help the old lady are different but the only to fulfill Kant’s depiction is Curly who helped the old lady across the street because it his moral duty not because of personal feelings and the fact that Kant will dismiss inclinations and motives to only focus on human reasons and the interest of our ability to make our own obligations.
10. What are two main formulations of the categorical imperative? Answer: The two main formulations of the categorical imperative are the initial maxim which is to describe both the proposed act and the intent one would have and the other formulation is universal maxim and that is someone lying to gain an advantage that benefits them.
11. What is the difference between a perfect and an imperfect duty? Explain and give an example of each.
Answer: Perfect duty is obligations that cannot be obeyed by degrees an example of this is if you chose to
steal something or not and an imperfect duty is the contrast to it meaning you can fulfill a variety of degrees an example of this being able to help or take priority over a suicidal patient rather than the patient
that wants to ask questions.
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12. What does Kant famously say about lying? What’s his reason? Kant say that “everyone lies to each other” thus everyone is expected to lie which makes it nearly impossible to gain personal advantage by laying. 13. What are three common objections – or oft-noted limitations – to Kantian deontology? Answer: The three common objections that Kant runs into for deontology are Consequences it objects to his deontology by having no moral relevance, many formulations which is applying the principle of universal law to determine the moral acceptability of an act, and the final objection is Rational agents and that is the tendency to neglect justice and rights.
14. What are Ross’s prima facie duties? (List them) Answer: Ross’s prima facie duties are the following Fidelity the duty to be truthful, Reparation the duty to set right any wrongs, Gratitude the duty to make some return for favors, Justice the duty to ensure the fair distributions, Beneficence the duty to improve the condition of others, Self-improvement the duty to improve oneself, and non-maleficence the duty to not harm or injure others, all seven of these are Ross’s prima facie duties.
15. How does Ross’s distinction between prima facie and actual duties help address one of the difficulties
/ critiques of Kant’s deontological theory? Answer: Ross distinguishes prima facie and actual duties by saying we know what to do by our intuition like we don’t discover moral duties by observing consequences or by reasoning, but we know them intuitively meaning we know which duties are important in each situation.
16. Developing character is often compared to learning to play an instrument or a sport. Explain why this is an apt analogy. Answer: Developing a character is often compared to learning to play an instrument or sport because when a character is developing throughout the story, they are learning stuff to become a better character just like someone learning an instrument like a guitar to get better or someone learning to play football. 17. Aristotle’s notion of eudaimonia is the basis for his moral philosophy, but also rooted in his natural law thinking. Explain how the core tenant of natural law – that all things have a characteristic purpose or function – determines human eudaimonia. Answer: The core tenant of natural law determines eudaimonia by us humans finding flourishment or fulfillment when we achieve our purpose or function, we finished in our lives.
18. One of virtue theory’s great strengths is that it fills in the four gaps – or addresses some of the problems – left by principle-based theories. a. List these FOUR main weaknesses or problems with principle-based ethics.
The four main weaknesses or problems with principle-based ethics are principle-based ethics overemphasize impartiality, principle-based ethics distort our picture of human nature, act utilitarian saint, and finally principle-based ethics do not motivate. b. Explain how virtue addresses TWO of them. Virtue ethics addresses principle-based ethics overemphasize impartiality by saying that we do not need to detach ourselves emotionally from our feelings or evaluate what is right because
virtue is what someone should be not what they have to be, and it also addresses act utilitarian by not being morally bound to a role.
For each of the following quotes, use your knowledge of the “big three’ schools of normative ethics to identify the author and the main concept being expressed in the underlined portion. 19.
“Presumably, however, to say that happiness is the chief good seems a platitude, and a clearer account of what it is still desired. This might perhaps be given, if we could first ascertain the function of man…What can this be? Life seems to be common even to plants, but we are seeking what is peculiar to man. Let us exclude, therefore, the life of nutrition, and growth. Next there would be a life of perception, but it also seems to be common even to the horse, the ox, and every animal. There remains, then, an active life of the element that has a rational principle…in the sense of possessing one and exercising
thought…
Now if we state the function of man to be a certain kind of life, and this be an activity or actions of the soul implying a rational principle,
and the function of a good man to be the god and noble performance of these, and if any action well performed when it is performed in accordance with the appropriate excellence: if this is the case human good turns out to be activity of soul in accordance with virtue, and there are more than one virtue, in accordance with the best and most complete [which is] Happiness.” Answer: The author of this quote is Aristotle and the main concept being expressed in the underline portion is happiness that humans feel in their day-to-day lives.
20. “Now it is an unquestionable fact that those who are equally acquainted with, and equally
capable of appreciating and enjoying [two pleasures], do give a most marked preference to the manner of existence which employs their higher faculties. Few human creatures would consent to be changed into any of the lower animals, for a promise of the fullest allowance of a beast’s pleasure; no intelligence human being would consent to be a fool, no instructed person would be an ignoramus, no person of feeling a conscience would be selfish and base, even though they should be persuaded that the fool, the dunce or the rascal is better satisfied with his lot than they are with theirs
. They would not resign what they possess more than he fore the most complete satisfaction of all the desires which they have in common with him…It is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied; better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied.” Answer: John Stuart Mill is the author of this quote and the main concept that is being expressed in the underline portion of the given quote is utilitarianism and that is that the morally right action
is the action that leads to the best outcome.
21. “So, if there is to be a supreme practical principle, and a categorical imperative for the human will, it must be an objective principle of the will that can serve as a universal law. Why must it? Because it has to be drawn from the conception of something that is an end in itself and therefore an end for everyone. The basis for this principle is: rational nature exists as an end in itself. Human beings necessarily think of their own existence in this way, which means that the principle holds as a subjective principle of human actions. But
every other rational being also thinks of his existence on the same rational ground that holds also for myself; and so, it is at the same time an objective principle—·one that doesn’t depend on contingent facts about this or that subject·—a supreme practical ground from which it must be possible to derive all the laws of the will. So here is the practical imperative: Act in such a way as to treat humanity, whether in your own person or in that of anyone else, always as an end and never merely as a means.”
Answer: 18
th
century philosopher Immanuel Kant is the man behind this quote and his main concept from the underlined passage is Good will and that means choosing to do something because it is ones moral duty.
22. Natural law theory assumes that everything has a natural function and purpose – by design. How is this expressed as a moral principle? Answer: Natural law theory is the idea that everything has a natural function that serves to achieve some desirable end or goal, and this expressed as a moral principle by the fact it creates moral obligations for us
to act and support of these natural values.
23. Natural law – religious or not – places an enormous emphasis on the role of reason in morality. Why is that? Answer: The reason natural law places an enormous emphasis on the role of reason in morality is due to catholic thinker Thomas Aquinas saying that is all because of God, he says that since God is good is explains the goodness of creation and the goodness that comes with it.
24. How does the principle of forfeiture support some instances of killing, even though killing violates the
foundational value of life? Answer: The principle of forfeiture supports some instances of killing even though killing violates the value of life by stating by deliberately attacking or threatening an innocent that has not attacked or threatened another that individual forfeits their own moral claim to live or to exist.
25. What are the four conditions laid out by the Doctrine of Double Effect (DDE)? What do they help determine?
Answer: The four conditions laid out by the Doctrine of Double Effect (DDE) are the following Moral principle condition, Mean-end condition, Right intention condition, and the Proportionality condition. They help determine the good and bad effects of an act.
26. Social contract theories assume that individuals are rational, self-interested individuals. How does Care Ethics counter this? Answer: Care Ethics counters social contract theory by being about individuals that do their own thing instead of an organization that shares the responsibilities that come with it.
27. What role does the “state of nature” play in social contract theory? Answer: “State of nature” role in social contract theory is people having the same moral rights and obligations and are moral equals since there is no distinction yet exist and everyone must be free to act without hindrance to his health, liberty, and property.
28. What are John Locke’s four basic natural rights?
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Answer: John Locke’s four basic natural rights that people should have are the right to life, the right to health, the right to liberty and the right of property. 29. John Rawls’ ‘justice as fairness’ model offers a morally-based social contract model. What constraint does he impose on his imagined ‘negotiators’ that make his contract fair? Answer: Rawls constraint he imposed on the imagined ‘negotiators’ in order to make his contract fair is give the negotiators the non-moral value of rational self-interest, with no knowledge of their lives the rational and self-interested negotiators won’t risk playing favoritism.
30. Describe the following Rawlsian principles: a. Difference principle
Difference principle is the ability to protect the less capable and maintain a true and fair system that any system must take such differences into account. b. Equality principle
Equality principle is the basic rights, opportunities, and the general duties and liberties may never be suspended from anyone.
PART II: SHORT ANSWER (20 pts each / 60 pts)
THIS SECTION ASKS YOU TO DEMONSTRATE YOUR ABILITY TO IDENTIFY, FOLLOW, AND ARTICULATE APPLIED ETHICAL ARGUMENTS. YOU ARE NOT BEING ASKED TO OFFER AN OPINION OR ASSESSMENT.
RATHER, YOU ARE
BEING ASKED TO ACCURATELY CONVEY THE ARGUMENTS OF
THE SCHOLARS YOU’VE READ AND APPLY CONCEPTS WE”VE STUDIED.
REMEMBER TO CITE AS NEEDED FOR BOTH DIRECT AND INDIRECT REFERENCES. 1. When can we break laws? Compare and contrast the ideas of law, justice, and the duties of the individual citizen in the Crito and Dr. King’s “Letter from Birmingham.” (~200-250 words)
Your paragraph should develop a clear central argument / point that draws on the readings to explain the underlying moral arguments and assumptions by the two men (Socrates and Dr. King) to explain their situations. You may also want to consult the Frankenia essay from unit 1 to help you with the Crito. Be sure to cite.
The point Crito is trying to convey to is that he is willing to save Socrates at a price, but Socrates ponders on the notion that he either run away or be captured then put to death. If he surrenders, then he may be an
orphan or he chooses to steadfast in his belief and be brave. Either outcome could be a disgrace for him and even worse death. Socrates wonders if someone who does evil is right for him to do evil unto him. It’s like the argument that Dr. King was making; that running away from injustice will not solve the issue but facing the issue may cause harm. Dr. King stated, “Are you able to accept blows with retaliating?”
(Washington) Just like Socrates, Dr. King wondered if non-violent acts would be more moral than acting upon those who are doing harm to others.
2. Pick either the Summers or Pinto case. Write a two-part critique. In part one, critique it AS a utilitarian. In part two, use it to illustrate the limits of utilitarianism
. (~200-250 words)
In the Pinto case the critiques that illustrate as a utilitarian were the cost of producing the car was far less than that of a human life. Human life was valued by a number that was determined by the government and that value was considered in the design the Pinto. If ever little detail of the Pinto had to be considered for what or may happen in an accident, then the cost of producing the vehicle would be far greater than producing an affordable car. Although the cost of designing a vehicle such as a Pinto was affordable therefore the limit into which the modifications could be made was far more than a human life as illustrated by the Insurance company and the government. The cost of not doing the recall on the already built Pintos or redesigning should have followed their companies' policies or guidelines. The guidelines should have been set forth to help protect the consumer and not the company.
3. In week 3 of the course, you were asked to ‘declare’ yourself for one of the main schools of normative ethics (Virtue, Deontology, Utilitarianism). Use your chosen school (or, if you must – declare a new one) to analyze a moral dilemma posed by the pandemic. (~200-250 words)
I described myself as “Virtue” from one of the main schools of normative ethics. The recent pandemic posed a few dilemmas of which I choose to follow the main principles of society. I chose to follow what I felt was morally right in our society; to 1-wear a mask and 2-stand in line to receive a vaccination. The moral dilemma was to either expose myself as well as others to the virus by not wearing a mask or possible spread the virus if I were asymptomatic. Many may say neither one of the paths I chose was not true, that the government made up these stories to shut down business or to control society. If that was the case, then what about all the vaccines before this one. Society has been taking vaccines for years for different viruses and disease; and every year we step up to the plate for the flu vaccine. I have sympathy and the desire to ensure I am doing my part to keep the rest of society safe by following the recommendation of our country’s leaders. I tend to do what comes naturally and that is to do right by my family as well as society. My father always says that doing the right thing is ten times better than doing the wrong thing.