Possible Exam Questions for Ethics Final
Note:
The format and rules for the final exam will be the same as for the midterm
exam. For section 4 - i.e., the class that normally meets at 11:30 - the exam will be held on Wednesday,
May 14, at 10 AM. For section
5 - i.e., the class that normally meets at 12:40 – the exam will be on Tuesday,
May 13 at 2:45 PM.
1.
What, according to Aristotle, is ‘the function’ of a human being? How does he use this idea to define happiness
for a human being (and, thus, ‘the human good’)? What do you think of his definition?
2.
Briefly, what is Aristotle’s ‘doctrine of the mean’? Is it true?
Useful?
3.
What does Aristotle mean by saying that the mean is ‘relative to
us’? Does that mean that he thinks there
is no objective right and wrong?
4.
In what sense are virtue and vice ‘up to us’ according to Aristotle? Do
you agree?
5.
Why does Aristotle think that a life of ‘theoretical study’ is the best
life for a human being? Is he right
about this?
6.
What, according to Aristotle are the three kinds of friendship? Say a
little about each one. And explain why one type is best.
7.
Aristotle says
only virtuous people can be true friends. Why?
Do you agree?
8.
What is the
difference between liberal and natural law approaches to explaining what is
wrong with ‘perverted’ sex, according to Alan Soble? Which approach seems better to you? Why?
9.
What is the most reasonable interpretation, in your view, of the claim
that some sorts of sexual activity are wrong because they are unnatural? How might this claim be criticized?
1.
Morris Kaplan argues that gays and lesbians cannot be ‘equal citizens’
unless they are able to marry. How does
his argument go and how cogent is it? (Consider the objections that might be
made to it by a defender of traditional sexual ethics – like the Pope.)
2.
Why does Mary Ann Warren think that human fetuses are not, morally speaking,
human beings? Is she right?
3.
Don Marquis
claims to have developed an argument that “purports to show, as well as any
argument in ethics can show, that abortion is, except possibly in rare cases,
seriously immoral, that it is in the same moral category as killing an innocent
adult human being.” How does this
argument go? Is it sound?
4.
What do you think is the most compelling reason to think that early
abortions are morally wrong? How good a
reason is that?
5.
How does Susan Sherwin distinguish between ‘feminine ethics’ and
‘feminist ethics’?
6.
How might one explain the difference between a ‘feminine’ and a
‘feminist’ approach to the issue of abortion?
7.
Do you think
that an “ethic of care” is needed to correct the male bias of mainstream
ethical theory? (Why or why not?)
8.
According to
John Stuart Mill, how is freedom of expression beneficial to society?
9.
What reasons might be given for thinking that widespread use of
pornography is not a good thing? How
good are those reasons?
10. According to Raymond Gastil,
pornography and obscenity can produce a kind of ‘moral harm’. How so?
Does he have a good point?
11. How, according to Rae
Langton, might pornography silence and subordinate women?
12. What are some reasons for thinking that it might be
a good idea for a university to have regulations prohibiting racist speech on
campus? How good are these reasons?