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Cotemporary Moral Problems
Quan Zhou
6/7/2009
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Philippines License.
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Dedication
To my parents: Johnny Valentino Sermonia, Zheng jian hua
To my siblings: Wen Ya Zhou, Kimberly Anne Sermonia
To my classmates and friends.
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Preface
This is a compilation of discussions and book reviews,
integrative questions, that serve as guide questions and helps the
readers to further understand or polish their reading skills.
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Table of Content
Dedication02
Preface..03
James Rachels: Egoism and Moral Scepticism.....05
John Arthur: Religion, Morality, and Conscience....07
Friedrich Nietzsche: Master and Slave Morality...10
Mary Midgley: Trying Out Ones New Sword.12
John Stuart Mill: Utilitarianism.14
James Rachels: The Debate Over Utilitarianism...16
Immanuel Kant: The Categorical Imperative19
Aristotle: Happiness and Virtue.23
Joel Feinbergh: The Nature and Value of Rights...25
Ronald Dworkin: Taking Rights Seriously27
John Rawls: A Theory of Justice...29
Annette C. Baier: The Need for More than Justice..32
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Chapter1
Titleofthebook:CotemporaryMoralProblemsSeventheditionbyJamesE.WhiteFavoriteQuote:
IfIwant
only
my
own
good,
and
care
nothing
for
others,
then
Iam
selfish,
but
if
Ialso
want
other
peopletobewelloffandhappy,andifIactonthatdesire,thenmyactionisnotselfish.
BookReviewChapter:
JamesRachel:EgoismandMoralScepticism
BookReview
Ethicalegoismisthedoctrinethatholdsthatindividualsoughttodowhatisintheirselfinterest.
Ethicalegoist istheonewhostudyabouttheselfishnessandunselfishnessofaperson.Selfishperson
willdo
anything
just
to
achieve
their
goal
just
like
what
happened
in
the
legend
of
Gyges.
The
gyges
kills
theking,seducedthequeen,andstealsthethrone.Thisact isdefinitely immoralbecause it isagainst
Gods Law. Selfishness isoneattitudeofmankind.Peoplearent satisfiedwithwhat theyhave.They
wantmorepower,possessions,andmoney.Ontheotherhand,beingunselfishnessisgoodbecauseyou
cansharetheblessingswithotherpeopleyoulove.
IthinkIhavelearnedagreatlessonfromJamesbecauseheclearlystatedabouttheEgoismand
MoralScepticism.NowIknowhowtopreventsuchthing.
IntegrityQuestion
Whatistherelationofegoisminoureverydaylife? WhatisScepticism? Isitdisadvantagetobeselfishornot? Whatdoesamanwanttobeselfish?
ReviewQuestions:
1.) ExplainthelegendofGyges.Whatquestionsaboutmoralityareraisedbythestory?ThelegendofGygestellsusthatonecanbegreedywhenheorshecanachievepowers.Justlike
whatGygesdo.Hekillstheking,seducesthequeen,andstealsthethrone.
2.) DistinguishbetweenpsychologicalandethicalegoismPsychologicalegoismholdsthatallhumanactionsareselfinterestedwhileethicalegoismsays
thatallactionsoughttobeselfinterested.
3.) Rachelsdiscusses2argumentsforpsychologicalegoism.Whatarethesearguments,andhowdoeshereplytothem?
a.) SelfishandUnselfish5
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethical_egoismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethical_egoismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethical_egoismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethical_egoism8/14/2019 Cotemporary Moral Problems Compile
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b.) Unselfishnessleadstosatisfactoryofhuman4.) What3commonplaceconfusionsdoesRachelsdetectinthethesispsychologicalegoism?5.) Statetheargumentforsayingthatethicalegoismisinconsistent.WhydoesntRachelsacceptthisargument.
Becausethereisnoprooftoit.
6.) AccordingtoRachels,whyshouldntwehurtothers,andwhyshouldwehelpother?Howcantheegoistreply?
Weshouldnthurtothersbecauseitsnotlawful,andweshouldconsidertheadvantagethatwe
have.
DiscussionQuestion:
1.) HasRachelsansweredthequestionraisedbyGlaucon,namely,Whybemoralifso,whatexactlyishisanswer?
Yes,hestartedstatingwhyweshouldbemoralwhenhestartwritingaboutselfishnessand
unselfishness.
2.) Aregenuineegoistsrare,asRachelsclaim?Isitafactthatmostpeoplecareaboutothers,even
people
they
dont
know?
Yes,becauseIbelievewhathewrote.
3.) Supposewedefineethicalaltruismastheviewthatoneshouldalwaysactforthebenefitofothersandneverinonesownselfinterest.Issuchaviewimmoralornot?
Yes,becausetheywillalsohelpusinthefuture.
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Chapter2
Title:JohnArthur:Religion,Morality,andConscience
Quote:Mortalityissocial
Expectation:Iexpecttolearnmoreaboutthereligion,moralityandconscienceofhumanbeing.
BookReview:
Ingeneral, thearticle isaboutmoralityand religion. Itdiscusses thedifferencesbetween the
two.Religionisdescribedinasocietythathasownbeliefs.IthassomethingtodoinworshiptoGodthat
theybelievewhocreatedeveryoneofus. Whilemoralityistoaskwhatitwouldmeanforasocietyto
existwithoutasocialmoralcode. Inthischapter,IunderstoodtheDivineCommandTheory,knowwhy
JohnArthursaidthatreligionandmoralisdifferentandknowthatDeweymeansmoralityissocial.
Ihavelearnedthatreligionisnecessaryforprovidingmotivationformorality.Itisalsonecessary
forguidanceinwhatisrightandwrong.Religiondoesnotprovidestraightforwardguidance.Itneedsto
beinterpreted,butinordertointerpretitweshouldbringmoralbeliefstoabide.Therefore,religionhas
something todowithmorality in someway it claims thatGoddetermineswhat is rightandwhat is
wrong. John Arthur compares this to legal policies of the government, if therewould be no Gods
presencetherewouldbenomoralrightorwrongjustaswithouta legislaturetherewouldbeno legal
rightorwrong.
He alsoargues that thedivine command theoryhas someundesirable consequences.Arthur
believesthateveryonewhoneedsareligiontheyshouldbelieveinonethingsuchasreligiousbeliefs.
In
morality
as
being
social,
in
this
sense,
it
does
not
mean
that
ones
society
is
impossible
to
criticize one another. Thus, criticizing a social morality does not respite on the ideality of the
internalizationbutratherontheexistingindividualityofeverybody.
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IntegrityQuestions:
Whatismorality?
Whatisreligion?
Whatis
conscience?
WhatistheDivineCommandtheory?
WhoisArthur?
WhoisDewey?
ReviewQuestions:
1. AccordingtoArthur,howaremoralityandreligiondifferent?Religion
is
described
in
asociety
that
has
own
beliefs.
It
has
something
to
do
in
worship
to
God
that theybelievewhocreatedeveryoneofus.Thesociety ispraying toGod forhelp indealing
with theirproblemsand thankingHim for their good fortune. Whilemorality is toaskwhat it
wouldmeanforasocietytoexistwithoutasocialmoralcode.Itisaresponsibilityforeverypeople
thattheyhavetotakecareof.
2. Whyisntreligionnecessaryformoralmotivation?Religion isnotneeded inprovidingmoralmotivationorguidanceandthatthereligiousperson
shouldnot
give
to
to
the
divine
command
theorys
claim
that
God
is
essential
for
there
to
be
morality. It isbecause that themoralityand religionare independentofeachother.Morality
can leave without religion and vice versa. One thing is every one of us has there own
perspectives.
3. Whyisntreligionnecessaryasasourceofmoralknowledge?ReligionteachesaboutGod,whilemoralknowledgetalksaboutthehumanbehavior.
4. Whatisthedivinecommandtheory?WhydoesArthurrejectthistheory?DivineCommandtheorytalksaboutGod.Hislawisalsoourlaw.Arthurrejectsthistheory
becausewhatever
God
told
us
in
the
Law
is
correct.
What
if
it
is
not
written
then
it
is
wrong?
5. AccordingtoArthur,howaremoralityandreligionconnected?Religionalsoplaysarole inmoralitythatrelatestothemotivesofeverypeople. Ifpeoplewill
have their own religion,many of themwill probably do right. Normally, it beginswith the
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important point that doingwhat is right has something to dowithmorality. You can avoid
cheatingifyoucanbeagoodservantofGod.
6. Deweysaysthatmoralityissocial.Whatdoesthismean,accordingtoArthur?According
to
Arthur,
moralitys
social
character
extends
deeper.
The
existence
of
morality
assumes thatwepossessasocialacquired languagewithinwhichwe thinkaboutourchoices
andwhichalternativeswehavetofollow.
DiscussionQuestions:
1. HasArthurrefutedthedivinecommandtheory?Ifnot,howcanitbedefended?Yes,
because
he
stated
so
many
words
against
the
divine
command
theory.
2. Ifmoralityissocial,asDewysays,thenhowcanwehaveanyobligationstononhumananimals?Wedonthaveanyobligationstononhumananimals
3.WhatdoesDeweymeanbymoraleducation?Doesacollegeethicsclasscountasmoraleducation?Yes,becauseitdiscussesaboutmorality.
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Chapter3
Title:FriendrichNietzche:MasterandSlavemorality
Quote: Thetruthishard
Expectation:Iexpect
to
learn
about
freedom,
slave
and
mastery.
BookReview:
AccordingtoWikipedia,Mr.friendrichNietzchewasaGermanphilosopherandphilologist.His
topicsusuallyaremorality,cultureandreligion.
AsIreadthebook,Ihavelearnedthatthemasterhadapowerfulphysicality,andweredefined
asindependentandnoble.Themastermoralityvaluedpride,faith,andconfidencewithinthemselves
andmaintainedastronghatredtowardtheweak.Ontheotherhand,theslavesarekind,helpful,and
havesympathytowardstheweak.Theslavesalsohavewarmheart,patience,anddiligence.
ThesearethethingsthatIencounteredwhilereadingFriendrichNiewtzcheswork.Ihavealso
learnedabouthumanity.
ThingsIhavelearned:
IlearnedabouttheSlavemoralityandMastermorality.IhavealsolearnedtheWillofPower.
IntegrityQuestion:
1.) WhatisSlavemorality?2.) WhatisMastermorality?3.) WhatistheWilltoPower?4.) Whatisthecreationofvalues?5.) WhatistheWilltoLife?6.) WhatarethecharacteristicofSlaveandmaster?
ReviewQuestions:
1.) HowDoesNietzschecharacterizeagoodandhealthysociety?Hecharacterizeitasitisimpossiblebecausetherichareoverwhelminginthesociety.
2.) WhatisNietzschesviewofinjury,violence,andexploitation?HesviewarelikelytobeintheMasterMorality.
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3.) DistinguishbetweenmastermoralityandslavemoralityMastermoralityarestrongandcantbeorderedaround,whileslavearethosebeing
orderedaround
4.) ExplaintheWilltoPowerWilltopowerispreciselywillingtolive.
DiscussionQuestions
1.) SomepeopleviewNietzscheswritingsasharmfulandevendangerous.ForExample,somehavechargedNietzschewithinspiringNazism.Arethesechargesjustifiedornot?Whyor
whynot?
Yes,becausetheyareintheworstsituationinWorldwar2.
2.) Whatdoesitmeantobeacreatorofvalues?Itmeansthatitrespectwhomeverthecreator.
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Chapter4
Title:MaryMidgley:TryingOut OnesNewSword
Quote:Nobodycanrespectwhatisentirelyunintelligibletothem.
Expectation:I
expect
to
learn
more
about
ways
of
sword
BookReview:
According toWikipedia,MaryMidgley isanEnglishphilosopher.She isanexperton religion,
science,ethicsandhumanrelationshipwithanimal.Shewasalsoanauthorofalotofbooks.
MaryMidgley talks aboutmoral isolationismwhichmeans it is never correct tojudgeother
peoplereligionorculturalact.Ifwewantotherstorespectours,weshouldjustignoreoravoidthemor
byfollowingwhattheydo.Thisisthewaytorespectotherreligion.
Forme,
Inever
agree
with
tsujigiri
because
it
is
so
brutal.
It
is
never
correct
to
hurt
others.
We
shouldrespectthevaluesofotherpeople.
ThingsIhavelearned:Ihavelearnedtorespectothercultures.
IntegrityQuestions
1. Whatdoestryingoutonesnewswordmean?2. WhoisMaryMidgley?3. Whataretheothercultures?4. Doweneedtorespectothercultures?
ReviewQuestions
1. Whatismoralisolationism?Moralisolationismiscriticizingofotherculturethatyouhaveneverencountered.
2. ExplaintheJapanesecustomoftsujigiri.WhatquestionsdoesMidgleyaskaboutthuscustom?TsujigiriisacultureofJapanesewhereasamuraineededtosharpentheirswordtocutathing
orahumanfromedgetoedge.Ifitfails,theyaredisgraceful.
3. Whatiswrongwithmoralisolationism,accordingtoMidgley?TheyaredoingimpurethingsliketheNazis.
4. WhatdoesMidgleythinkisthebasisforcriticizingothercultures?Midgleybasisisthattheydontknowthecultureofotherpeoplethatswhytheyarecriticizingit.
DiscussionQuestions
1. MidgleysaysthatNietzscheisanimmoralist.IsthatanaccurateandfairassessmentofNietzsche?Whyorwhynot?
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Yes,becauseNietzschesupportsMasterandslavemorality.Weshouldnotjudgeotherpeople
bytheirstatusinlife.
2. DoyouagreewithMidgleysclaimthattheideaofseparateandunmixedculturesisunreal?Explainyouranswer.
Yes,because
human
wants
to
know
more
about
other
things.
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Chapter5
Title:JohnStuartMill:Utilitarianism
Quote:Todoasyouwouldbedoneby,andtoloveyourneighborasyourself
Expectation:IexpecttolearnmoreaboutUtilitarianism,andthemorallessonsbehindit.
BookReview:
Utilitarianism is about happiness and pleasures. For me, I always attained happiness and
pleasuresfrommyfamily,friendsandthethingthatIplayedwith.IneverfeltanythinginsecurewhenI
amwiththemorplayingwiththem.
Higherpleasuresand lowerpleasures, thisarethingthatbeing tackled in thischapter.Higher
pleasuresarethosethatsatisfyustothemax,whilethelowerpleasuresitalsosatisfiesbutonlyalittle.
Itmayactdifferentlyoneveryone.Somepeoplemightexperienceacertainthingwhichheconsidereda
higherpleasure,
while
the
other
for
them
it
is
alower
pleasure.
ThingsIhavelearned:
WeshouldconsiderUtilitarianism.
Thehigherandlowerpleasures
IntegrityQuestions:
WhoisJohnStuartMill?
WhatisUtilitarianism?
Whatishappinesstohuman?
ReviewQuestions:
1. StateandexplainthePrincipleofUtility.Showhowitcouldbeusedtojustifyactionsthatareconventionallyviewedaswrong,suchaslyingandstealing.
Ahumandoesnotwanttolieorstealfromotherpeople.Theywanttoearnitthroughhardship
2. HowdoesMillreplytotheobjectionthatEpicureanismisadoctrineworthyonlyofswine?MilldoesnotagreewiththeDoctrine.
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3. HowdoesMilldistinguishbetweenhigherandlowerpleasures?Lowerpleasuresisbeingdiscontent,whilehigherpleasureissatisfaction.
4. AccordingtoMill,whosehappinessmustbeconsidered?According
to
Mill,
everyone
happiness
must
be
considered.
5. CarefullyreconstructMillsproofofthePrincipleofUtility.Peopleseehappinessasearthmaterialswhichyoucanholdorown.
DiscussionQuestions:
1. Ishappinessnothingmorethanpleasure,andtheabsenceofpain?Whatdoyouthink?No,happinessisnotalwayspleasureandtheabsenceofpainbecauseyoucantgetitfromyour
parents.
2. DoesMillconvinceyouthatthesocalledhigherpleasuresarebetterthanthelowerones?Whataboutthepersonofexperiencewhoprefersthelowerpleasuresoverthehigherones?
Forme,
the
higher
pleasures
possibly
the
lower
pleasures
of
other
people.
3. Millsays,InthegoldenruleofJesusofNazareth,wereadthecompletespiritoftheethicsofutility.Isthistrueornot?
Itisfalse.
4. ManycommentatorshavethoughtthatMillsproofofthePrincipleofUtilityisdefected.Doyouagree?Ifso,thenwhatmistakeormistakesdoeshemake?Isthereanywaytoreformulatethe
proofsothatitisnotdefective?
Yes,Iagreeitisdefected.
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Chapter6
Title:JamesRachelsThedebateoverUtilitarianism
Quote:Mandoesnotstriveafterhappiness,onlytheEnglishmandoesthat
Expectation:I
expect
to
learn
more
about
Utilitarianism
of
James
Rachels
BookReview:
ThischapterdiscussedaboutthedebateoverUtilitarianismbyJamesRachel.Hesaidthatthe
classicalutilitarianismcanbesummarizedintothreeschemes.Firstoneistheconsequencesinjudging
the actions that are right and wrong. The second is the measuring the amount of happiness or
unhappinessofeachpeople.Accordingtothemeaningofhedonism,itisthesameashappinessthatis
equal topleasureminuspain. Lastly, the calculationofhappinessorunhappiness, it isbecauseeach
personswellbeingisequallyessential.
Happinessiswhatpeoplewantfortheirlives.Itistheonlythingthatisultimatelygoodforevery
personand it is knownashedonism.Generally,happiness isa kindofbroadoverall satisfactionand
goodness in life.Many fundamentallygoodthingsthataredesirable likeartistry,knowledge, loveand
pleasure.They
believe
that
basically
happiness
is
the
one
ultimate
goal
of
everyone.
Contemporaryutilitarianismspeaksofinterestsatisfactionputtingthehorsebefore.Thebestis
whenyouknowthepreferenceofsatisfactionofallaffectedpersons.Thissatisfactionbringspleasure.
There are also three arguments in utilitarianism, such as,justice, rights and promise. Justice is an
argumentthatonlysomeonehasawitnessagainstthe innocentpersonand it iscalledfairness.While
rights,everypersonhas theirownrights, likerighttospeak, right to fight for theirbeliefs,etc.These
rightscanmakethemsatisfiedineverythingtheywanttopursue.Finally,thepromise,ineverypromise
thereisanobligationtoanotherpartyanditisnoteasytoescapefromit.Itwillalsoraiseasatisfaction
onbothpartieswhenanobligationhasbeenreached.
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WhatIhavelearned:Ihavelearnedhowimportanttobefairtoeachother.Happinessisimportantfor
eachandeveryoneofus.
IntegrityQuestions:
WhoisJamesRachels?
WhatisthedebateoverUtilitarianism?
Howimportantarejustice,rights,andpromises?
Doeshappinessmatter?Inwhatway?
ReviewQuestions:
1. Rachelssaysthatclassicalutilitarianismcanbesummedinthisproposition.Whatarethey?Thefirstpropositionsaretheconsequencesonjudgingwhatisrightorwrong.Certainly,the
bestconsequencesaretherightactionsandtheleastconsequencesarethewrongones.
Secondly,measuringthehappinessandunhappinessareonlythingthatmattersinassessing
consequences.Finally,thecalculationofhappinessorunhappinessarebothnecessarybecause
everyoneswellbeingisequallyimportant.
2. Explaintheproblemwithhedonism.Howdodefendersutilitarianismrespondtothisproblem?Theproblemwithhedonismisthethoughtthatonlyhappinessistheoneeventualgoodfor
everybody.Onedefendersaysthatherhappinessendedwhenshewasinjuredinanaccident
andforthatreasonshecannotplaypianoanymore.Asaresponse,wecannotstayawayinany
tragediesjusttomakethepianisthappy.
3. Whataretheobjectionsaboutjustice,rightsandpromises?Theargumentinjusticeisnoteverytragedyitswitnesstohavefairness.Inrights,everybodyhas
theirownrightstobehappy.Promisehasanobligationtoeveryone.
4. Distinguishbetweenruleandactutilitarianism.Howdoesruleutilitarianismreplytothisobjection?
Theactisoldversionwhiletheruleisthenewerversionofutilitarianism.
5. Whatisthethirdlineofdefense?Thethirdlineofdefenseisasmallgroupofpresentdayutilitarian,andtheyoftenhavedifferent
insightsinantiutilitarianarguments.
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DiscussionQuestions:
1. Smartsdefenseofutilitarianismistorejectcommonmoralbeliefswhentheyconflictwithutilitarianism.Isthisacceptabletoyouornot?Explainyouranswer.
No,becauseImnotautilitarian.
2. Autilitarianissupposedtogivemoralconsiderationtoallconcerned.Whomustbeconsidered?Whataboutnonhumananimals?Howaboutlakesandstreams?
Everybodyshouldbeawareoftheirsurroundingespeciallythoseanimalsandnatures.
3. Rachelsclaimsthatmeritshouldbegivenmoralconsiderationindependentofutility.Doyouagree?
Yes,IagreebecauseIbelievethatmeritshouldbegivenimportanceasajustice.
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Chapter 7
Title: Immanuel Kant: The Categorical Imperative
Quote:
Act only on that maxim through which you can at the same time will that it should become a
universal law
Expectation:
I expect that I will gain important information about Kants philosophical thinking about
categorical imperative.
Book Review:
In general, Immanuel Kant of categorical imperative discussed and illustrated the
meaning of it and the rules towards many people. Kants philosophical view of good will is one
of his important moral ideas. The meaning of good will is close in being a good person or a
person of good will. His account of the good will has a duty in agreement with the universal
moral law that all human being has their own freedom. Good will like courage, resolution, and
constancy of purpose are good in many compliments.
There is no implied limit or qualification in giving moral considerations that will take
affect to the determination to give moral considerations. Maintaining ones moral goodness is
very important in every condition that being pursued by people. Pleasure and intelligence has
also something to do with good will because it does not require giving up on every persons
moral certainties.
The goodness of good should not depend on any particular situations that are obtaining.
Therefore, Kant illustrates that a good will must also be good in itself and not only to the good
value on any meticulous happenings.
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One of the formulations of Kants categorical imperative is the Formula of Universal
Law of Nature which effects to sum up a decision process of moral way of thinking. People
should act in any circumstances that govern all normal means and by natural law, act as
proposing your self. Always consider whether your saying is considerable in a place governed by
this law of nature.
Base on Kants study, there are also two duties imposed by the first formulation, such as,
the perfect duty and the imperfect duty. These duties consists respect for the law. These are also
created by rules and laws. Thus, if we have our own duty, our inspiration is to respect the law
and do our responsibilities and duties.
Integrity Questions:
Who is Immanuel Kant? What is an account of good will? How important is this? What is categorical imperative? What is hypothetical imperative? What is a maxim? How many formulations did Immanuel discuss in this chapter? What are the two duties imposed by the first formulation?
Review Questions:
1. Explain Kants account of the good will.From Kants chapter, his account of the good will has a duty in agreement with the
universal moral law that all human being has their own freedom. Good will like courage,
resolution, and constancy of purpose are good in many compliments.
2. Distinguish between hypothetical and categorical imperatives.20
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Categorical imperative is introduced by Immanuel Kant. According to him that the
human beings have an important role in creation from which all duties of every person
derives, whereas hypothetical imperative induces action in a specified condition or to do
something that will satisfy our desired goal.
3. State the first formulation of the categorical imperative (using the notion of a universallaw) and explain how Kant uses this rule to derive some specific duties toward self and
others.
From this formulation, he bring to a close that a moral proposition that is true should not
be the one to tie in any particular conditions. Kant also undertook that a moral maxim
must have universality. The formulation is divided to two, such as, perfect duty and
imperfect duty. Categorical imperative sets that a duty is necessity to act out of respect
for the law.
4. State the second version of the categorical imperative (using the language of means andend) and explain it.
The second version of categorical imperative has a free will, a source of all normal action.
By combining the second to the first formulation, a person has a perfect duty due to not
using the humanity of them.
Discussion Question:
1. Are the two versions of the categorical imperative just different expressions of one basicrule, or are they two different rules? Defend your view.
The two versions of the categorical imperative have their own different expressions. The
first focuses on duties while the second discusses about the source of all human action.
2. Kant claims that an action that is not done from the motive of duty has no moral worth.Do you agree or not? If not, give some counterexamples.
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No, all duties has its moral worth because you will take many responsibilities and
obligations to reach your purpose.
3. Some commentators think that the categorical imperative (particularly the firstformulation) can be used to justify non-moral actions. Is this a good criticism?
Yes it can be used to justify non-moral actions as a good criticism.
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Chapter8
Title:AristotleHappinessandVirtue
Quote:Formenaregoodinbutoneway,butbadinmany.
Expectation:Iexpect
to
learn
about
happiness
and
virtue
which
will
be
tackled
in
this
chapter.
BookReview:
AccordingtoWikipedia,AristotlewasaphilosopherfromGreek.Hewasoneofthefirststudents
ofPlatowhowasalsoagreatphilosopher.Hewasalsothefounderofwesternphilosophy.
Happinessandvirtuearethetopicwhichhechose.Happinessissomethingwhichcannotbe
foundinpleasure.Virtueissomethingyougainedfromhardworkorintensetraining. Ihavemanyhard
experienceswhichIendureit.Aristotletaughtmetostayhappyregardlessofwhatmayhappen.
ThingsIhavelearned:
Ihavelearnedthedifferencesofhappinessandvirtuefrompleasure.Ihavealsolearnedmoralvirtueis
notearnedeasily.Youhavetostrivehardtoachieveit.
IntegrityQuestion:
Whatishappiness?
WhatisVirtue?
WhoisAristotle?
ReviewQuestions:
1.) Whatishappiness,accordingtoAristotle?Howisitrelatedtovirtue?Howisitrelatedtopleasure?
AccordingtoAristotle,happinessisnotapleasure.Itisgainedfromexperienceortrainingto
achievevirtue.
2.) HowdoesAristotleexplainmoralvirtue?AccordingtoAristotle,moralvirtueisattaintedthroughhardwork.
3.) IsitpossibleforeveryoneinoursocietytobehappyasAristotleexplainsit?Ifnot,whocannotbehappy?
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Yes,everyonecanbehappy.
DiscussionQuestions:
1.) Aristotlecharacterizesalifeofpleasureassuitableforbeasts.Butwhat,ifanything,iswrongwithalifeofpleasure?
Lifeofpleasureissomethingyoucantgainforeternal.Thosearemoney,andflirting.
2.) Aristotleclaimsthatthephilosopherwillbehappierthananyoneelse.Whyisthis?Doyouagreeornot?
Idonotagreebecausenoteveryoneisdoingwelleventhoughtheyarehappy.
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Chapter9
Title:JoelFeinbergTheNatureandvalueofrights
Quote:Charitablecontributionsaremorelikegratuitousservices,favours,andgiftsthanlike
repaymentsofdebts
Expectations:IexpecttolearnaboutJoelFeinberg.Andhistopicaboutthenatureandvalueofrights.
BookReview:
JoelFeinberg(October19,1926 March29,2004)wasanAmericanpoliticaland
socialphilosopher.Heisknownforhisworkinthefieldsofindividualrightsandtheauthorityofthe
state.[1]FeinberghelpedinshapingtheAmericanlegallandscape.
FeinbergstudiedattheUniversityofMichigan,writinghisdissertationonthephilosophyofthe
HarvardprofessorRalphBartonPerryunderthesupervisionofCharlesStevenson.HetaughtatBrown
University,Princeton
University,
UCLA
and
Rockefeller
University,
and
at
the
University
of
Arizona,
whereheretiredin1994asRegentsProfessorofPhilosophyand
Law.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joel_Feinberg
Thischapterisabouttherightsofhuman.Weshouldtreateachoneofusequally.Ipersonally
dontwantotherstotreatmelikeatrashsoIdonttreatthemthatway.Theideaofpersonaldesertis
thatwedeservewhatweachieve.Ithinkweneedtostrivehardsothatwecanhavethebest.
ThingsIhavelearned:Ihavelearnedtounderstandmoreabouttherightsofhumanandtherightsof
nature.
IntegrityQuestions:
WhoisJoelFeinberg?
Whatisthevalueofrights?
WhatistheNature?
ReviewQuestions:
1.) DescribeNowheresville.Howisthisworlddifferentfromourworld?Nowheresvilleisaplaceofnorules.Youcanthaveequalityandpeace.Itisverydifferent
fromoursbecausewehavehumanrights.
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2.) Explainthedoctrineofthelogicalcorrelativityofrightandduties.WhatisFeinbergspositiononthisdoctrine?
Thisdoctrineisfromdutytorights.
3.) HowdoesFeinbergexplaintheconceptofpersonaldesert?HowwouldpersonaldesertworkinNowheresville?
Feinbergexplainthateveryonedeservesthebestwhentheyworkhardforit.
4.) Explainthenotionofasovereignrightmonopoly.HowwouldthisworkinNowheresvilleaccordingtoFeinberg?
ThisaretherightsoftheMonopolywhichisnottrulytherightofhumanbeing.
5.) Whatareclaimrights?WhydoesFeinbergthinktheyaremorallyimportant?Claimrightsaretherightsofhuman.
DiscussionQuestions:
1.) DoesFeinbergmakeaconvincingcasefortheimportanceofrights?Whyorwhynot?Yes,Feinbergshowshisthoughtonhowtomakerightsforeachandeveryoneofus.
2.) Canyougiveanoncirculardefinitionofclaimright?No.
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Chapter10
Title:RonaldDworkin:TakingRightsSeriously
Quote:Inpracticethegovernmentwillhavethelastwordonwhatanindividualsrightsare
Expectation:
IexpecttolearnmoreaboutRonaldDworkinschapterabouttakingrightsseriously.
BookReview:
Ronald Dworkin graduated from Harvard University studied about the institution of rights. In this
chapter,heexplainsabouttakingrightsseriously. AccordingtoDworkin,rightsweredominatedbyhigh
officialsinagovernmentinrulinganation. Ithasastrongsense inneedingtoseemoralrights.These
rightswereprotectedby lawsandpolicies inastate. Healsodiscussedthedifferencesbetween legal
rightsandmoralrights.Legalrightsareoftenbeliefsbydifferentpeoplewhothinkthattheserightsare
realand
unchangeable
unless
the
congress
will
say
so,
whereas,
the
moral
rights
are
principles
or
createdbythechurchoraspecificreligion.Anexampleoflegalrightthatisnotamoralrightisfollowing
the signs and policies in a roadway.Moral right that isnot a legal right is visiting the church every
Sunday.
Dworkin also contributed some important ideas on equality. He mentioned two models in the
institutionsofrights.Thefirstoneisaboutthegovernmentspoliciesinsecuringallindividualbeings.It
illustratestherightsbetweenanindividualpersonandthedemandsofthesociety.Thesecondmodelis
moreonpoliticalequality.Fromthechapter,thefirstmodelhadcaughtDworkinsinterests.
ThingsIhavelearned:
Ihavelearnedhowtotakerightsseriously.Ialsolearnedthedifferencesbetweenlegalrightsfrom
moralrights.
IntegrityQuestions:
WhoisRonaldDworkin?
DescribethetwomodelsofDworkin?
Whyshouldwetakerightsseriously?
Howimportantisthegovernmentslaw?
Differentiatelegalrightsfrommoralrights.
Whatistheinstitutionofrights?
ReviewQuestions:
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1. WhatdoesDworkinmeanbyrightinthestrongsense?WhatrightsinthissenseareprotectedbytheU.S.Constitution?
Rightsweredominatedbyhighofficialsinagovernmentinrulinganation. Ithasastrongsense
inneedingtoseemoralrights.Thesewereprotectedbylawsandpoliciesinastate.
2. Distinguishbetween legal andmoral rights.Give some examples of legal rights that arenotmoralrights,andmoralrightsthatarenotlegalrights.
Legal rights are often beliefs by different people who think that these rights are real and
unchangeableunlessthecongresswillsayso,whereas,themoralrightsareprinciplesorcreated
bythechurchoraspecificreligion.Anexampleoflegalrightthatisnotamoralrightisfollowing
the signsandpolicies ina roadway.Moral right that isnota legal right isvisiting thechurch
everySunday.
3. Whatare the twomodelsofhowagovernmentmightdefine the rightof itscitizens?Whichdoes
Dworkin
find
more
attractive?
Thefirstmodel isaboutthegovernmentspolicies insecuringall individualbeings.Thesecond
model ismoreonpolitical equality. From the chapter, the firstmodelhad caughtDworkins
interests.
4. AccordingtoDworkin,whattwoimportantideasarebehindtheinstitutionofrights?PoliticalandsocialarethetwoimportantthingsbehindtheinstitutionofrightsofRonald
Dwrokin.
DiscussionQuestion:
1. Doesapersonhavearighttobreakthelaw?Whyorwhynot?Yes,everypersonhastherighttobreakeverylawinthegovernmentbuts/heshouldbeready
fortheconsequencesthatmayhappentothem.
2. ArerightsinthestrongsensecompatiblewithMillsutilitarianism?Baseonmyreadings,DworkinsstudyhasnothingtodowithMillsutilitarianism.
3. DoyouthinkthatKantwouldacceptrightsinthestrongsenseornot?Baseonmyopinion,Kantwillallowtheserightsinastrongsense.
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Chapter11
Title:JohnRawls:ATheoryofJustice
Quote:
Justiceas
fairness
begins
one
of
the
most
general
of
all
choices
Expectation:
IexpectthatitwillhelpmeunderstandthetheoryofjusticebyJohnRawls.Ialsoanticipatetolearnhow
importantjusticetoallindividuals.
WhatIhavelearned:
Ihave learnedthetwo importantprinciplesbyJohnRawls.Thetwoareboth importantprinciples,the
first one is about equality in laws and policies while the second principle is about inequality in
distributions.
BookReview:
Base from the Wikipedia, John Rawls was born on February 21, 1921. He was
an American philosopher and a leading figure in moral and political philosophy. Rawls received
the Schock Prize for Logic and Philosophy and the National HumanitiesMedal in 1999, the latter
presentedbyPresidentBillClinton,inrecognitionofhowRawls'sthought"helpedawholegenerationof
learnedAmericansrevivetheirfaithindemocracyitself."(Retrievedfromwww.wikipedia.com,June2,
2009).
areinsufficientlypaidup.Thosearethetwoprinciplesthatweareallencounteringfromnowandthen.
distributivejusticesuchaswealth.Hisfirstprincipleprotectsthe
equality
and
freedom
of
every
people.
IntegrityQuestions:
WhoisJohnRawls?
WhatarethetwoprinciplesofJohnRawls?
Differentiatethetwoprinciples.
Generally,this
chapter
explains
the
two
principles
by
John
Rawls.
The
two
principles
are
liberty
andwealth.The firstprinciple is theprincipleof libertywhichhas something todowith the lawand
policyaccordanceofallpeoplewhich istobesubjectasanequaltreatmentofthegovernment. This
principle discussesmore about equality among people.While the second principle iswealth,which
illustratesthattherichnessofan individualareunequaltoeachother.Somearehighlypaidandsome
IntheTheoryofJusticebyJohnRawls,hetriedtomergelibertyandequalityinaprincipledway.
Byexplainingthatjusticeisfairnessanditishismostfamousapproachinphilosophicalthinking.Healso
triedtoconnectthislibertyprincipleto
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DoyouagreetothetwoprinciplesmadebyRawls?
Whichismoreimportant,thefirstorthesecondprinciple?Why?
ReviewQuestions:
1. CarefullyexplainRawlssconceptionoftheoriginalposition?JohnRawlssconceptionofjusticehastwoprinciples.Thefirstprincipleexplainstheequality
while the secondprincipleexplains the socialandeconomic inequalities.Theseprinciples
generallyexplainthatjusticeisfairness.
2. StateandexplainRawlssfirstprincipleofjustice.The first principle explains the equal right between people with freedom same as the
freedom of others. Justice regulates and follows some various laws and policies to be
followedby
the
government
people.
3. Stateandexplainthesecondprinciple.Whichprinciplehasprioritysuch that itcannotbesacrificed?
The secondprinciplediscusses the socialand economic inequalities to theextendof the
distribution of income and wealth. In our economy, not all people have the same
responsibilities,chainsofcommandsandthesemakeoursocietyunequal.
DiscussionQuestions:
1. Onthefirstprinciple,eachpersonhasanequalrighttothemostextensivebasiclibertyaslongasthisdoesnot interferewithasimilar libertyforothers.Whatdoesthisallowpeopletodo?
Doesitmean,forexample,thatpeoplehaverighttoengageinhomosexualactivitiesaslongas
they dont interferewith others? Can people produce and view pornography if it does not
restrictanyonesfreedom?Arepeopleallowedtotakedrugsintheprivacyoftheirhomes?
Thefirstprincipleallowspeopletodowhattheywantbecausewehaveourownfreedom.But
weshouldknowthelimitations,ifeverwehaddonesomethingthatisbeyondthelimitationwe
havetofaceourownriskto it.Yes,peoplemaydowhatevertheywanttodo in life.Theyare
notrestricted
to
choose
people
they
want
to
be
with.
All
of
that
are
freedoms,
people
may
choose what they want especially in their own house. But we should always know our
limitations.
2. Is it possible for free and rational persons in the original position to agree upon differentprinciplesthangivebyRawls?Forexample,whywouldnttheyagreetoanequaldistributionof
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Yes,itispossible.Abouttheequaldistributionlikeincome,wedonotchoosethis,butwehave
totakeitbecauseitistheextentofourservicethathastobepaid.
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Chapter12
Title:AnnetteCBaier:TheNeedformorethanjustice
Quote:JusticeasFairnessisnotacompletecontracttheory.
Expectation:Iexpect
to
learn
about
the
Theory
of
justice.
BookReview:
AnnetteC.Baier(neStoop)(born1929)isawellknownmoralphilosopherandHumescholar,
focusinginparticularonHume'smoralpsychology.Formostofhercareershetaughtinthephilosophy
departmentattheUniversityofPittsburgh,havingmovedtherefromCarnegieMellonUniversity.She
retiredtohernativeDunedin,NewZealand,whereshegraduatedfromtheUniversityofOtago.Sheis
alsowellknownforhercontributionstofeministphilosophyandtothephilosophyofmind,whereshe
wasstronglyinfluencedbyherformercolleague,WilfridSellars.HerhusbandisthephilosopherKurt
Baier.
SheisaformerPresidentoftheEasternDivisionoftheAmericanPhilosophicalAssociation,an
officereservedfortheeliteofherprofession.BaierreceivedanhonoraryDoctorofLiteraturefromthe
UniversityofOtagoin1999.InOctober2007,Baierwasranked72ndinalistof"Top100livinggeniuses"
compiledbyTheDailyTelegraph.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annette_Baier
AnnettedisapproveswithKantianviewbecauseshebelievesthatHistorywillrepeatitself.The
theorydoesntshowgreatresultinthepast.SoshestickswithhertheoryandcriticizesKantiantheory.
Justiceperspectivearelikelywhatmenlikes,andcareperspectivearelikelywhatwomenlikesbut
sometimesitcanbeopposite.Nowadays,morewomendoesntwantotherstoseethemaskingforhelp.
Theywant
equality
with
men.
ThingsIhavelearned:
IhavelearnedwhatJusticeperspective.
Ihavelearnedwhatcareperspective.
IntegrityQuestions:
Whois
Annette?
WhatisJustice?
Whatisfairness?
ReviewQuestions:
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1.) Distinguishbetweenthejusticeandcareperspectives.AccordingtoGilligan,howdotheseperspectivesdevelop?
Theseperspectivesdevelopthroughwomenwhopreferjusticeratherthancarebecause
womennowadaysdontwanttobelittle.
2.) ExplainKohlbergstheoryofmoraldevelopment.WhatcriticismsdoGilliganandBaiermakeofthistheory?
Theycriticizeitasnobodywasinterestedinthattheory.
3.) BaiersaystherearethreeimportantdifferencesbetweenKantianliberalsandtheircritics.Whatarethesedifferences?
Thedifferencesaretheemotions,thefreedomofchoice,andtheequality.
4.) WhydoesBaierattacktheKantianviewthatthereasonshouldcontrolunrulypassions?Sheattacksbecauseshebelievesitwasafailure.
DiscussionQuestions:
1.) WhatdoesBaiermeanwhenshespeaksoftheneedtotransvaluethevaluesofourpatriarchalpast?Donewvaluesreplacetheoldones?Ifso,thendoweabandontheold
valuesofjustice,freedom,andright?
Shemeansthatwhenthereisagoodidea.weshouldadaptitandacceptit.
2.)WhatiswrongwiththeKantianviewthatextendsequalrightstoallrationalbeings,including
womenandminorities?WhatwouldBaiersay?Whatdoyouthink?
ShethinksthatKantianviewisafailurebecauseofwhathadhappenedinthepast.Thatwhy
shedislikeit.
3.)BaierseemstorejecttheKantianemphasisonfreedomofchoice.Granted,wedonotchoose
ourparent,butstilldontwehavefreedomofchoiceaboutmanythings,andisntthisvery
important?
IthinkitisveryimportanttomebecauseIwanttohavefreedom.
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