Author: Anonymous

Instructions for essay questions: The most important thing is to convince me that you understand the main ideas of the unit and can put them in your own words. Write as clearly as possible. Say what you mean and mean what you say.Be sure that you answer every part of the question. Read it carefully. Each answer should probably be at least a couple of paragraphs. — Answer one of the following questions. (You will answer another of the same three questions for the next essay). Be sure to indicate which question you are answering.  According to Aristotle, being a virtuous person is not something one is born with but is something one can develop with time and work. Give an example, drawn from a story or from real life, of someone developing in virtue. Some things to consider: a) the influence of a moral exemplar, b) the development of wisdom and judgment to know what is moral, and c) the transformation of emotions to desire virtue. Explain the Euthyphro dilemma in your own words. Recall that a natural law theorist might define what is natural in any one of these four ways: a) What is innate b) What is common to all humans c) What we are designed to do efficiently d) What gives us survival value as a species Suppose a natural law theorist wants to say that it is good for us to care for the poor. Pick one of the four definitions of natural and explain how he might defend caring for the poor on that basis.

Many people believe that religion is necessary in order for . . .

According to virtue ethics, emotions . . .

Which of the following would every cultural relativist accept?

If cultural relativism is true, what happens when the moral code of a society changes?

Instructions for essay questions: The most important thing is to convince me that you understand the main ideas of the unit and can put them in your own words. Write as clearly as possible. Say what you mean and mean what you say.Be sure that you answer every part of the question. Read it carefully. Each answer should probably be at least a couple of paragraphs. — The handout lists 6 arguments against objective morality based on moral differences between people. (In the textbook they are arguments #2-7). Pick one of them and give the argument in a paragraph or two, putting it into your own words. For convenience sake, the 6 arguments are: 1. All truth is subjective.2. Equal rights imply equal plausibility.3. Moral objectivity supports dogmatism.4. Moral objectivity supports intolerance.5. Moral objectivity cannot allow for legitimate cultural variation6. Moral disagreement undermines moral objectivity.

It is easy to see how we are motivated to do what is good for us, but hard to see how we are motivated to do what is morally good. How does divine command theory answer this question?

Believing in objective morality …

If I say “The death penalty is immoral,” what does this mean, according to ethical subjectivism?

It is easy to see how we are motivated to do what is good for us, but hard to see how we are motivated to do what is morally good. How does ethical egoism answer this question?