Contemporary Ethical DilemmasUnit Four - Writing Assignment

While the usual Unit writing assignments take the form of a developed essay, for this Unit I would like you to write out short answer questions using your own words. This chapter is dense with terminology and concepts and I want you to explain them to me (not just spitting back a quote from the chapter). The questions, found on page 113, are listed under the 'Review Questions' heading. Please answer questions 1 - 5 (Kant) and then 8 - 12 (Natural Law).

1. What is the significance of a good will for Kant?

2. What is the difference between a hypothetical and categorical imperative?

3. What is the moral principle laid out in the first version of Kant's categorical imperative?

4. What is a perfect duty?

5. What is Kant's means-ends principle?

8. What is natural law theory?

9. According to Natural Law theories, how can nature reveal anything about morality?

10. According to Aquinas, what is the good at which human nature aims?

11. According to Natural Law theory, how are moral principles objective? How are they universal?

12. What is the doctrine of double effect?