STUDY QUESTIONS FOR FIRST MIDTERM

1)         Explain each of the following views, and give an example for each that shows that it is not likely to be a correct explanation of what is morally right: a) Sociological view; b) Subjectivist view; c) Egoistic view.          

2)         Explain what moral relativism is. Give several arguments in favor of moral relativism. Give several arguments against moral relativism. Explain which side of this dispute is closer to the truth, and why.

3)         Explain the difference between an ultimate or intrinsic good, and an instrumental good. What are some of the things that various philosophers have claimed to be ultimate goods? 

4)         What is happiness, according to Aristotle? What does it mean to say that happiness is complete or that it is self-sufficient? How is completeness related to ultimate good? How is happiness related to virtue? What is the function of a human being, and how is it related to virtue? Why can’t animals and children be happy? What is a virtue, according to Aristotle? What is the role of habit in forming virtues? What is the function of man, and why is this important in Aristotle’s argument? What does it mean to say that a virtue (of character) is a mean between two extremes? Mention some virtues that Aristotle cites, and say which of these are “other regarding” virtues. Is Aristotle an egoist? Why or why not?

5) What is hedonism? Explain fully what makes an action morally right, according to utilitarianism? How is hedonism involved in utilitarianism? Does utilitarianism condemn exploitation in all cases? How is egoism different from utilitarianism? What influence does the motive or aim of the doer of an action have the morality of an action, according to utilitarianism? Distinguish between rule utilitarianism and act utilitarianism. Which category fits Mill best? Carefully describe a situation in which a utilitarian would approve some action which non-utilitarians might think to be immoral. Defend or attack the utilitarian conclusion in this case.

6)         Carefully state both forms of Kant’s categorical imperative, and explain key terms including ‘maxim,’ ‘universal law,’ ‘ end in itself,’ ‘means only.’ Explain in your own words why, according to Kant, it is wrong to make false promises, using each form of the C. I. Do the same for refusing to help people. Using both forms of the categorical imperative, explain how Kant would evaluate the following conduct:

            a)         Olivia spends her life trying to satisfy her husband's every whim, never even considering her own needs or desires, or forming her own opinions. She does this even though her husband Oscar constantly humiliates her. Olivia has no children, and has training in a well-paying profession.

            b)         Oscar joins the K.K.K. and tries to organize a political movement to eliminate unemployment for whites by firing all non-whites.

7)         Oscar is a multi-billionaire who values privacy very highly. One day, he was fishing in his private lake when a young may swam over to his boat and asked to be allowed to get in and rest. Oscar ordered him to say away from the boat, swim to shore and leave his estate. The young man protested that he was too tired to make it to shore, but Oscar insisted that he swim off immediately. The young man did so and drowned. Did Oscar do the right thing? Answer and explain your answer fully from a utilitarian point of view. Do the same from a Kantian point of view.

8)         Explain the idea of a "class morality" as this concept appears in Engels, Mao, and Nietzsche. What is the content of "proletarian morality" in Engels and Mao? What is the content of "noble" or "aristocratic" morality in Nietzsche? How is different from “slave morality?” What is the attitude of these various thinkers to social equality and the possibility or desirability of a society without social classes? What is their attitude to the rights or interests of workers?

9)       Is there a difference in the morality of two actions, one kills someone, and the other lets that person die? Answer from the point of view of Utilitarianism and of Kant.

An interesting additional passage from Aristotle:

“If happiness, then, is activity expressing virtue, it is reasonable for it to express the supreme virtue, which will be the virtue of the best thing. The best is understanding, or whatever else seems to be the natural ruler or leader, and to understand what is fine and divine, by being either itself either divine or the most divine element in us. Hence complete happiness will be activity of study [that is thinking for its own sake, not for some practical purpose]. This seems to agree with what has been said before, and also with the truth. For this activity is supreme, since understanding is the supreme element in us, and the objects of understanding are the supreme objects of knowledge.”