philosophy quiz
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philosophy.zipCase Studies Spring 2017.pdf
Case Studies
Choose one of the following case studies and discuss it using one of the ethical theories summarized for
you in the document: Summary of Ethical Theories
Case Study 1: Violent Lyrics
A rap CD contains lyrics that appear to advocate violence against women. The lyrics suggest that
women are sexually excited by being slapped and receiving other forms of physical and verbal abuse.
They lyrics also suggest that men can take a woman’s protest as a way of actually giving consent to
sexual intercourse and that rape is a myth. In response to criticism, members of the rap group say that
they have a right to advocate their views and that they sincerely believe males in our society need to
reclaim their masculinity.
Critics of the group argue that the group encourages rape and abuse of women. Defenders of
the group either agree with the group’s philosophy or argue that freedom of expression should override
other considerations. Which side has the stronger moral argument?
Case Study 2: An Unusual Request
James Harrison is a 17 year old high school senior and honors student. He has been studying the world
population problem and is convinced that the explosive growth of the human population must be
stopped. In an attempt to do his part to slow population growth, he asks his local physician for a
vasectomy. His physician refuses, arguing that Harrison is not mature enough to make such a decision.
Harrison argues that people his age are not prevented from climbing mountains, racing cars, engaging in
risky sexual practices, and doing many other things that can affect their lives in even more serious ways.
Therefore, he should be allowed to have a vasectomy if he wants one. Was his physician morally
justified in her decision?
Case Study 3: Should the Physician Tell?
While 75 year old Ethel Morgan is undergoing a routine hernia operation, the surgeon discovers that she
has one undescended testicle. The surgeon informs Morgan’s family physician, who orders a genetic
analysis. The analysis shows that she is genetically male. The family physician knows that Morgan was
never able to have children and that she has one adopted daughter. He also knows that she is happily
married and that both she and her husband would be deeply disturbed if they knew about the
undescended testicle and the genetic analysis. Should the physician reveal the information? Should he
have ordered the genetic tests? What if Morgan were 21 instead of 75?.
Quiz 3 Spring 2017.pdf
Quiz 3
For each of the following indicate whether it is the: (a) material cause; (b) formal cause; (c) efficient
cause; (d) final cause.
1. The cells of the human body.
2. The human body itself
3. Father and mother in relation to child
4. Health relative to walking
5. Wood, bricks, cement, nails relative to a house.
6. Saws, hammers, workers relative to a house or a building.
Answer each of the following questions as best as possible.
1. Provide a thorough account of Natural Law Ethics. In other words, list its components.
2. Aristotle argues that the happy life is not to be confused with the accumulation of wealth,
having popular friends, and the gathering of material possessions. Why does he say this?
3. In his first proof, Thomas makes a host of arguments. I want to highlight two claims that appear
in the same sentence.
a. It is necessary to arrive at a first mover, moved by no other.
b. Everyone understands to be God.
What is the distinction between these two statements? In other words, what type of claims are these?
Finally, if these are two different types of claims is that significant in what Aquinas is trying to do in this
reading?
How would Aristotle/Aquinas respond to the following question? Think about the four causes here. (5
pts)
1. What causes a house to exist?
Fill in the blank, 2 pts each.
1. For Aristotle there are two types of virtue, they include _____________ and
_________________ virtue.
2. For Aristotle virtue is a matter of ______________ as well as a ________________
between two extremes. These extremes include _________________ and
________________.
For each of the following set of words, determine which one is excess (indicate with an E),
which one is deficiency (indicate with a D) and which one is the middle ground/point
(Indicate with an M). For example, your answer should contain one of each of these
letters. EMD would be an example answer. So for the lists of words below, which word is
the mean between these words, which one is excess and which one is deficiency?
1. Pleasure, Temperance, Pain
2. Generosity, Receiving Money, Giving Money
3. Rashness, Cowardice, Bravery
