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2525 final exam Advice ...

Part 1True / false Place your T or F in front of the sentence. 1/2 mark each (10 marks)

  1. Classical Utilitarianism is the theory developed by Bentham and Mill.
  2. Kant believed that we have no direct duties to animals; they are merely means to man’s ends.

Part 2Short dilemma to comment on. Use the accompanying booklet for this section. (20 marks)

This section will present a selection of moral dilemmas. Choose one and formulate a response. I’m looking for your ability to figure out what moral principles are involved and to offer a solution based on your interpretation of the issues.

Part 3Short answer: Point form. Do all of these. 3 marks each. (30 marks)

  1. Why did Kant disapprove of ‘rehabilitation’ as a Utilitarian justification for punishment? 142
  2. What is Carol Gilligan’s objection to Kohlberg's theory of moral development?

Part 4Short essay: A few short paragraphs. Do this section in the accompanying booklet.

Choosetwo of these20 marks each (40 marks)

Listed on the back...

Extra CreditNo telling....(5 marks)

Essay questions: Six of these topics will be offered on the final exam. You must do two of them.

  1. Discuss Aristotle’s view that virtues are means poised between two extremes.
  2. Why is Posthumanism a moral issue?
  1. Discuss bio-conservative objections regarding Transhumanism.
  1. Outline the characteristics of Rachels’ ‘multiple-strategies’ Utilitarianism.
  1. Discuss the issue of either euthanasia or marijuana use from a Utilitarian viewpoint.
  1. Explain how the ethics of care does a better job of accommodating the nature of our moral relations with family and friends than traditional theories of obligation do.
  2. In what way does the Golden Rule underpin both Utilitarianism and Kantianism?
  1. What did Jane Addams mean when she said that “The height of immorality is to make an exception of myself”? Would she have regarded herself as a Utilitarian or a Kantian? Why?
  1. Discuss the positive and negative aspects of ‘impartiality’ in Utilitarianism.
  2. Discuss Rachels’ answer to the question “Are the virtues the same for everyone?”

To get the best marks for the essays, you must provide relevant details (names and approximate dates, for example) and answer in a thoughtful, well-organized and well-written manner. Because the required answers are short, please don’t waste space with overly-lengthy lengthy introductions and conclusions. Haystack answers (just throwing in anything that might be relevant) will not be rewarded. Because you have the topics ahead of time, my expectations will be higher than otherwise. And please write neatly and plainly. I have almost thirty of these to mark.

The test will concentrate on chapters 7 through 13 (lectures 13 to 24) and the accompanying readings. Readings we did not take up in class will not be prominently questioned.