Exam 1

Ethics

Exam I

4 questions, 25 points each plus 10 points extra credit.

You have one week to return this exam to me. It is now 4pm on May 25^th.

Email your answers as an attachment to my Mac email, eric.berg@mac.edu

Use your Rachels text. I expect that you will work on your own and direct questions to me.

Do not plagiarize!

Question #1 Religion and Ethics

Plato asks us (by way of his character Socrates) the question: “Is something good because God commands it, or does God command it because it is good?” Explain the dilemma this presents for a religious person. How would you answer this question from Socrates?

Immanuel Kant makes the claim that “ought implies can”. In other words, in the moral world, if we ought to do something, we can do it. How does this claim fit with mental illness? Does this claim argue that we, as humans, can be perfect?

I made the claim in class that Christians and the Jewish faith share a common set of moral rules, commonly called The 10 Commandments? What do you think of Martin Luther’s claim that doing the right thing to get to heaven or avoid hell (or purgatory) is a selfish thing to do? Is he right or wrong? Why?

In the world today, do we need religion to do the right thing? In other words, if we eliminate religion do we eliminate the foundation of Ethics? If yes, why? If no, why not?

Question #2 Cultural Relativism

What is the central argument for Cultural Relativism (CR)?

I made several arguments against CR, clearly and completely outline one argument against CR, and give an example to demonstrate how it works against the CR position. What central value does the CR argument wish to put forward in the world of moral thinking? Is this value worth saving? Why or why not?

Question #3 Egosim

What is “ethical egoism?” (Be clear and complete)

What is Psychological Egoism? What is the relationship between the two?

Explain one argument against ethical egoism that you find compelling.

With regard to your argument against egoism: construct a plausible counterargument that a proponent of ethical egoism might make.

Speculate intelligently about why someone might find the doctrine of ethical egoism an appealing or attractive philosophical position.

Write a short story (no more than 250 words) that will demonstrate ethical egoism and the moral implications of the position.

Question #4 Relativism

Are all things relative? If yes, how is that true? If no, why not?

Clearly distinguish between “cultural relativism” and “individual relativism”.

If relativism is true, what is the status of the study of political science and the law?

Why do ethicists distinguish between the law and ethics?

Why do ethicists distinguish between etiquette and ethics?

Bonus: You all worked very hard to study for this exam. In reward for that work you may answer the following question for a maximum of 10 extra credit points.

With the exception of any reading mentioned above, tell me about another assigned reading from this section of the class. Try and outline the argument as best you can and make an assessment of the merits of the argument.