Each short answer question should be a minimum of two-three long paragraphs in length.
The test will cover material both from class lecture and the assigned readings/videos. Class materials covered on this exam include: Epictetuss Handbook; Velasquez Ch. 7 What is Ethics? reading; Sandels The Moral Side of Murder video; Hinman The Ethics of Consequences: Utilitarianism reading; Crash Course Utilitarianism video; Sandels How to Measure Pleasure video; Hinman The Ethics of Duty: Immanuel Kant reading; Crash Course Kant & Categorical Imperatives video; Sandels Mind Your Motive video; Hinman The Ethics of Character: Aristotle and our Contemporaries reading; Crash Course Aristotle & Virtue Theory video
Short Answer Questions:
1. Epictetus: (a) Present and explain Epictetuss view on how we achieve happiness. (b) What does he say is not under our control and what attitude should we take towards those things? (c) What does he say is under our control and how does that connect with our happiness? (d) Give one example from the text and how it illustrates the difference between what we can and cannot control, and the proper response we should have to that situation.
2. Utilitarianism: As given in the Hinman The Ethics of Consequences: Utilitarianism reading, present and explain the three-part decision procedure utilitarians use to determine the moral worth of an action. Make sure that you spend time carefully explaining each of the three parts.
3. Deontology: As given in the Hinman The Ethics of Duty: Immanuel Kant reading, present and explain the three key pillars of deontology. Make sure that you spend time carefully explaining each of the three parts.
4. Virtue Ethics: As given in the Hinman The Ethics of Character: Aristotle and our Contemporaries reading, present and explain the four-part definition of moral virtue. Make sure that you spend time carefully explaining each of the four parts.
5. Reasons for and against Utilitarianism: (a) Present and explain one reason to argue for utilitarianism as the correct ethical theory and then (b) present and explain one reason to argue against utilitarianism. Finally, (c) which reason outweighs the other, and why? In other words, in your view, is the argument for utilitarianism stronger or weaker than the argument against it?
6. Reasons for and against Deontology: (a) Present and explain one reason to argue for deontology as the correct ethical theory and then (b) present and explain one reason to argue against deontology. Finally, (c) which reason outweighs the other, and why? In other words, in your view, is the argument for deontology stronger or weaker than the argument against it?
7. Reasons for and against Virtue Ethics: (a) Present and explain one reason to argue for virtue ethics as the correct ethical theory and then (b) present and explain one reason to argue against virtue ethics. Finally, (c) which reason outweighs the other, and why? In other words, in your view, is the argument for virtue ethics stronger or weaker than the argument against it?
Important Note for Questions 5-7: Be sure that you offer substantial reasons, meaning that the reason has to include specific content that is significant. Your reasons must be relevant to the question of which view is likely to be true. Make sure that you are not just stating what the view says. You need to offer a reason for accepting the view. And be specific! It is NOT acceptable to say, Utilitarianism has good arguments, and so I agree with it this statement says absolutely nothing by way of actual specific content, and is not considered critical evaluation. Also please note that you are NOT evaluating a philosophers writing style; you are evaluating their theories or objections. It is irrelevant whether a particular philosopher uses difficult or obscure language – you are to evaluate the content of what they say, and not how they say it. Critical evaluation should not focus on writing style, but should focus on the merits of the actual theories, objections, and responses.
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