Philosophy Ethics 8 Prompts

The response to each question should be no more than 500 words

(1) Peter Singer argues that, beyond the point of marginal utility or self-sufficiency, people ought to donate to charity or give away what they own. Explain (1) how he uses one of the three ethical theories (utilitarianism, deontology, virtue ethics) to argue for his position and (2) how one of the additional theories might also support his argument.

(2) Both John Stuart Mill and Aristotle think that ethics aims at happiness. Compare and contrast their understanding of happiness and explain the two different routes they think we might take to become happy. Then, assess whether their ideas of a happy life could also be described as a meaningful life.

(3) One of Kant’s most famous ideas is that of the categorical imperative. Describe what the categorical imperative is and how it is used. Kant thought that lying violates the categorical imperative. Does being rude to a classmate violate the categorical imperative as well? You may want to refer to Philippa Foot in your response, but it is not required.

(4) Kant outlines four perfect and imperfect duties to oneself and others. Describe each of these four categories and explain (briefly) why they are duties. Then, assess whether one of our other two moral theories (utilitarianism or virtue ethics) would agree or disagree that each of these four categories represents a moral duty.

(5) Kant argues that people must always be treated as ends, never as means. Explain how he justifies this claim, being sure to define what “person” means for Kant. Then, choose one of our other two moral theories (utilitarianism or virtue ethics) and assess whether it relies on a similar conception of “person.”

(6) Susan Wolf describes a difference between loving saints (perfect utilitarians) and rational saints (perfect deontologists), but ultimately thinks that neither is a desirable model for people. If there were to be a virtuous saint (a perfect virtue ethicist), what would this person be like, and would they be a more desirable model that avoids Wolf’s worries?

(7) Aristotle argues that virtue must always be voluntary. Describe his justification for this claim and explain how it relates to the difference between being unjust and doing injustice. Finally, assess whether Kant’s racism would count as being unjust or doing injustice.

(8) Cheshire Calhoun argues that contentment is a virtue, and Myisha Cherry argues that moral anger is a virtue. Describe how each of these could be virtues, and then assess how individuals might decide when to practice each virtue, as the two can often be at odds.