Philosophy 2700F/G Study Guide - Final Guide: Moral Skepticism, Consequentialism, Contractualism
17 May 2018
School
Department
Course
Professor
Introduction to Ethics and Value Theory
Philosophy 2700G 001
Final Examination Review Questions
Professor Anthony Skelton
The final examination will take place on Wednesday, April 25, 2018 at 9:00 a.m.
Duration: Three hours
Format:
-
Ten short answer questions (each worth 2 points)
-
Five medium answer questions (each worth 6 points)
-
Two essay questions (each worth 25 points)
You must commit your answers to memory, for there are NO AIDS ALLOWED in the exam.
You are to answer all of the questions that appear on the examination.
The essay questions will be drawn from the following list:
1.
In the section of Reasons and Persons that we read at the outset of this course, Derek Parfit
attempts to cast doubt on moral skepticism. In your essay, (a) describe moral skepticism, (b)
outline the two arguments that Parfit uses to cast doubt on it, and (c) raise one (and no more
than one) clearly articulated objection to one of those arguments. If you agree with Parfit,
reply to the criticism that you provide.
2.
In the reading entitled “Consequentialism and Integrity,” Bernard Williams contends that
consequentialism cannot make sense of the value of integrity. In your essay, (a) outline the
basic features of consequentialism, (b) describe the way in which it is committed to
negative responsibility, (c) explain how consequentialism undermines individual integrity,
and (d) raise one (and no more than one) clearly articulated objection to Williams’s
argument. In your criticism try to imagine ways in which consequentialism might be
modified to account for the value of integrity. If you agree with Williams, reply to the
criticism that you provide.
3.
In his paper “Contractualism and Utilitarianism,” T. M. Scanlon argues in favour of what he
calls contractualism. In your essay, outine (a) the basic features of contractualism, paying
special attention to the way in which he distinguishes the view from philosophical
utilitarianism, (b) the features of contractualism that make it attractive for Scanlon, and (c)
raise one (and no more than one) clearly articulated objection to the view. If you agree with
Scanlon, reply to the criticism that you provide.
4.
In her paper “Justice, Care, and Gender Bias,” Cheshire Calhoun contends that much moral
theorizing is gender biased. In your essay outline (a) what Calhoun calls the “charge of
gender bias” , (b) the specific ways in which moral theorizing is gender biased, and (c) raise
one (but no more than one) clearly articulated objection to her view. If you agree with
Calhoun, reply to the objection that you raise.
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1.
In the section of Reasons and Persons that we read at the outset of this course, Derek Parfit
attempts to cast doubt on moral skepticism. In your essay, (a) describe moral skepticism, (b)
outline the two arguments that Parfit uses to cast doubt on it, and (c) raise one (and no more
than one) clearly articulated objection to one of those arguments. If you agree with Parfit,
reply to the criticism that you provide.
Moral Skepticism: Argument for Moral Relativity/Disagreement (Mackie)
- Widespread variation in moral beliefs and practices – bound to be disagreements
- Explanation for this: people adhere to different ways of life, not because of inadequacies
in education or reasoning capacities
- While some these differences in opinions may be due to distortions in fundamental
beliefs (in which case the view is wrong), Mackie chooses to emphasize the cause as
being differences in lifestyle
- Conclusion: there is no universal moral truths or objective values – the truth of moral
norms is relative to the society of its origin
Parfit’s Argument against Moral Skepticism (with respect to metaphysical truths):
1) There are reasons for peoples’ actions. So moral actions must also have reasons
2) Moral skepticism is not all-or-nothing – there are some subjective aspects as well as
some objective aspects. Isolating these objective principles will give a Unified Theory
Objection to One of Parfit’s Argument:
-
Response to Objection (if you agree with Parfit):
-
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
The nal examination will take place on wednesday, april 25, 2018 at 9:00 a. m. Ten short answer questions (each worth 2 points) Five medium answer questions (each worth 6 points) Two essay questions (each worth 25 points) You must commit your answers to memory, for there are no aids allowed in the exam. You are to answer all of the questions that appear on the examination. The essay questions will be drawn from the following list: in the section of reasons and persons that we read at the outset of this course, derek par t attempts to cast doubt on moral skepticism. In your essay, (a) describe moral skepticism, (b) outline the two arguments that par t uses to cast doubt on it, and (c) raise one (and no more than one) clearly articulated objection to one of those arguments.
