Possible Questions for Midterm

Contact: Dr. Jan Garrett

Third Draft, March 17, 2010

The midterm is now scheduled for class time, Monday, March 22 (for PHIL 320-001); Wednesday, March 24 (for PHIL 320-002).

The total score on this exam is 100, but since 35 points toward the semester grade are assigned, your total on the exam will be multiplied by 35/100 for purposes of semester grade calculation.

The midterm will consist of an objective part based on terms such as those below (40 points), and an essay part drawn from the essay questions below or modified versions of those questions. You will be asked to write two essays, one from each group, worth up to 30 points each.

Key Terms and Concepts

Domination model (4 main features) Partnership model (4 main features) Strict Father Family (Lakoff) Nurturant Parent Family (Lakoff) Important metaphors in SF Family Moral Model Important metaphors in NP Family Moral Model Moral accounting metaphors Folk Theory of the Natural Order How "family values" generate (national) political policies divine command theory (Theo) cultural relativism (Rob) ethical subjectivism (Susie) ethical objectivism (Olivia) natural caring (Noddings) ethical caring (Noddings) why Noddings' ethic is "feminine" why Noddings criticizes ethical approaches that stress universal rules a good final without qualification (Aristotle) a self-sufficient good (Aristotle) the (human good) as activity (Aristotle) state of character (Aristotle) moral virtue (Aristotle) utilitarianism (Bentham) happiness and unhappiness (Bentham's view) hedonism (Bentham's version) utility (Bentham) principle of utility (Bentham) hedonic calculus (Bentham) psychological egoism viewpoint neutrality (Strossen) clear and present danger requirement (Strossen)

hate speech (Lawrence and Strossen) slippery slope argument (Gay-Williams, Strossen) argument from nature [or natural law] (Gay-Williams, Vatican) liberty limiting principles   harm   legal paternalism   legal moralism   offense pornography (MacKinnon's legal definition) pornography constructs sexual identity (MacKinnon) erotica (M's legal definition) autonomy (as understood by liberalism; see Groenhout) common human nature (as understood by liberalism) limited state thesis (in liberalism) individualism thesis (in liberalism) rights thesis (in liberalism) gender essentialism sociocultural version of gender essentialism (MacKinnon) rights and legal method as male constructs (MacKinnon) types of euthanasia principles of mercy, autonomy, justice (see Battin article) terms related to rights concepts generally terms related to libertarianism non-interference rights social and economic rights [not] treating another person as a means only (Kant; Mappes) voluntary informed consent (Mappes; see handout) deception (Mappes) dispositional coercion (Mappes) threat vs. offer (Mappes) coercive offer (Mappes)

For review purposes I urge you to consult the (frequently updated) section of the course website whose button label is "Lecture Notes, Dialogues, etc."

The "Ethical Theories" section of the website contains introductory material on utilitarianism, Aristotle, and libertarianism that you might find useful.

You are responsible for the introductory material in the chapters we have discussed in class; for texts or articles by Aristotle, Mill, Rand, and Noddings in chapter 1; for articles by Battin, Groenhout, MacKinnon, Strossen, in later chapters, and for website material that has been assigned and/or discussed in class. If you wish to write an essay on Applied Applied Ethics Topic Q. 4, you will need knowledge of some material discussed in chapter 7.

Questions Related to Basic Ethical Theory Articles

I may drop one or two of these from the options on the Midterm.

Questions related to General Topics and Major Ethical Theories

1. Explain Benthamite Utilitarianism. How does it make use of "moral accounting"? What is utility? The Principle of Utility? How should it serve as a guide to those who are making the laws? How does Bentham understand "the interest of the community"? What is the connection between Utilitarianism and a main task of modern science? In what sense is this view hedonist? How would Bentham criticize laws that criminalize homosexuality?

2. (Don't do both a and b.)
     a. Explain the major features of the Domination and Partnership models of social relationships, as taught by Riane Eisler, contrasting the former with the latter. When it is argued that our lives do not belong to us, so, even if we are near life's end of life and suffering intensely, physician assisted suicide is immoral, which model is likely behind the argument? Explain.
     b. Briefly explain the Strict Father Family and the Nurturant Parent Family, as outlined by Lakoff. What metaphors are prominent in each? How do political values (related to national policy) get generated by concepts of family values? What metaphor bridges the two "communities"? Where do "progressive" and "conservative" political values come from?

3. According to libertarianism, what rights are basic or indispensable? What economic system do libertarians typically endorse? To what does the right to life entitle a person? The right to property? What is the proper job of government? When does government overstep its proper scope? Is there a right to education if society has enough resources to support public schools? Do the needy have a right to medical care at public expense? Explain.

Questions related to Applied Ethics Articles

1. Explain the two principles upon which U.S. free speech law depends, according to Nadine Strossen? Which of the so-called liberty limiting principles does Strossen endorse? What is her view on codes restricting hate speech and proposals to ban so-called violent pornography? Present the main features of her reasoning.

2. How does Catherine MacKinnon understand pornography as a practice? Why does she deny that it is (merely) an idea? What does she mean when she says it "constructs" gender in our society? How does she reply to the claim that those who produce pornography are merely using their rights to freedom of expression--rights that should be protected?

3.According to Margaret Battin, is euthanasia or physician assisted suicide ever morally permissible? Explain the major moral premises she uses (see her three principles) When is voluntary active euthanasia morally permissible? physician assisted suicide? involuntary euthanasia? What duties in this connection may physicians have? (Relate to her principles.)

4. Compare the Vatican's or Judge Cordy's view on some issue related to sexuality with the more liberal perspective represented by Thomas Mappes or Judge Marshall. Avoid strictly religious arguments and don't rely exclusively upon purely legal arguments. (All these authors except Mappes are represented in Boss Chapter 7. The handout on Mappes, which was discussed in lecture, is also available on the course website, under Lecture Notes, along with some examples on which to check your comprehension.)