Assignment

1. If we lived in a purely Objectivist society, wherein a government were not responsible for "altruistic" things like providing healthcare or welfare, who would be responsible for the sick, the elderly, the poor, and others who temporarily or permanently cannot care for themselves? Would this work for us as a society? Why or why not, based on your own ideas about human nature?

2. Would it surprise you to learn that late in her life, Rand accepted government assistance (welfare)? Why or why not? Was it hypocritical of her? Why or why not?

3. How do you think most people resolve conflict (or don't), especially since most don't make a close study of systems of ethics? What are our tendencies, good and bad, in tension with one another?

4. Should legality be a consideration in any system of ethics or conflict resolution method, or should systems of ethics and conflict resolution methods transcend the law and even be open to going against it if necessary? Why?