Assignment
The Questions
Answer THREE of the following questions. If you've already written on these topics (in discussion boards or essays for the class), it's fine to reuse what you wrote. However, I do expect that you will make an effort to revise and improve earlier work.
1. Pretend you are teaching the allegory of the cave to a group of 12-year-olds. Use simple, clear words and examples they can relate to in order to explain both the structure of the allegory and "what it means." In your explanation, be sure to include each of the following parts: the shadows, the puppets, the fire, the objects in the world outside, and the cave.
2. In recent years, there have been a number of prominent political acts aimed at changing laws (see MLK handout for some examples). Do a little research, and choose one particular political movement that interests you. Describe it in 1-2 paragraphs, making sure to say what law/policy was being challenged, and how those seeking to change the law responded. Now, consider how MLK (in "Letter for Birmingham Jail") and Plato (in "The Crito") might evaluate it.
3. Carefully describe the Euthyphro dilemma (the dilemma that arises from claiming "Morally good actions are those God loves") in your own words. Then, explain what you think the best response is for theists (e.g., people who believe in God).
4. Argue for a yes/no answer to the following claim: "Morality relative to culture." Be sure to incorporate what you've learned from James Rachels' reading. I'd also encourage you to bring in real-life examples of what this might mean (the review question on the handout has some sample issues).
5. Argue for a yes/no answer to the following claim: "Any rational person ought to be an egoist." Be sure to incorporate what you've learned from James Rachels' reading. Again, use examples where appropriate.
6. Is lying always immoral? In your answer to this question, please explain and analyze Kant's claims that lying is wrong because it treats people as mere means and/or lying isn't "universalizable."
7. Use utilitarian ethics to evaluate a state or federal law/policy. Some ideas might include gun control laws, health care reform, environmental protection, college funding, a decision to go to war, or whatever. (This may be require a little outside research) In your answer, you should be sure to (a) explain what exactly utilitarianism is, and how utilitarians approach these sorts of problems, (b) identify both benefits and costs of the policy/law in question.
a. Note: You don't necessarily need to solve the problem here. Instead, you just want to show that you understand how utilitarianism works.
8. In 2-3 paragraphs, explain the basic ideas of Aristotelian virtue ethics. Now, apply it to your own life: pick a moral virtue you want to improve at, and explain how Aristotle might advise you to approach this.
9. Explain the argument of Lois Pineau's "Date Rape" in a way that might be understandable to a high school freshmen. Consider at least two questions the students might have, and provide answers to them.