Philosophy homework help

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Philosophy homework help. Respond to each item below in 2–3 paragraphs. Use Learning Resources,

  • Please copy and number each question. Put your answer below each question.

 
First:

  • (1) What is moral relativism? How is moral relativism generally viewed today? Why?
  • (2) What is natural law theory? In particular, how does it determine whether an action is good or bad? How have ethicists’ opinions of this theory changed over time? Why?
  • (3) What was Aristotle’s view of the world and humanity’s place in it? Do you agree or disagree? Why?
  • (4) What is social contract theory? How is social contract theory viewed today? Why?
  • (5) What is utilitarianism? Name and explain three features andcriticisms of it.

 
Second:

  • Identify and explain one major objection to utilitarianism. What are the strengths and weaknesses of utilitarianism?
  • Identify and explain one major objection to Kantianism. What are the strengths and weaknesses of Kantianism?
  • What are the five aims of torture? Which aim can the liberal (in theory) accept and why? Why must the liberal reject the four others? [Remember: The word liberalhere refers to any believer in liberty—that is, in a free society that respects human rights. The opposite of liberal in this context is illiberal or unfree, not conservative.] How is this liberal ideology expressed in the ticking time bomb experiment?
  • What are the psychological effects of prolonged solitary confinement? Is solitary confinement an effective tool for rehabilitation? Why? Refer to both Harlow’s experiments with monkeys and to research and experiences involving adult humans.

Third:

  • In Chapter 38, why does Bright think that it would be harmful to society’s morals if we were to murder murderers, rape rapists, and torture torturers? Why does Bright think that the use of the death penalty undermines the standing and moral authority of the United States? Do you agree or disagree? Why?
  • Which nations are the top executors in the world? How many citizens does the United States execute each year? What percentage of murders are punished with the death penalty? Is there a correlation between lower murder rates and greater use of the death penalty in the regions of the United States? Do people convicted of war crimes like genocide receive the death penalty?
  • In Chapter 16, Huemer argues that one has a right to use drugs. He also declares that this right is not absolute or exceptionless. Explain the author’s argument with support from your readings. Do you think this argument supports or refutes the war on drugs? Why?

Forth:

  • Identifies the three main ideas that guide the conduct during a just war. What are they? Additionally, what are the rules of last resort and just peace?
  • Explain how religions or other organized groups have applied the concept of a just war throughout history.
  • What reasons for going to war are considered just causes today? Which are not?
  • In Chapter 41, why does Rawls consider the fire-bombing and atomic bombing of Japanese cities during WWII to be deeply immoral? What is his view on utilitarian calculation? Do you agree with Rawls or not? Why?

Fifth:

  • What are reasons people do or do not turn to religion to resolve moral dilemmas? Why?
  • Why does Sullivan hold that a free society (or “a liberal state”) is obligated to allow gays to marry?
  • Evaluate Leiser’s argument when natural is interpreted to mean: (1) following the descriptive laws of nature, (2) not artificial, and (3) common/statistically normal.
  • Evaluate Leiser’s argument when naturalis defined as good and anything unnatural is defined as bad.

Sixth:
You are on a lifeboat with 11 people (including you) aboard. The water surrounding the lifeboat is freezing such that no one would survive in the water. There is no rescue ship in sight and worse yet, the lifeboat is sinking. You notice a sign posted on the lifeboat that reads ”Capacity 10 normal-sized persons.” Looking around you notice 10 normal-sized persons (including you) and one 400-pound man. No one wants to jump out of the boat, and if nothing is done it will sink leaving all 11 to die.
Would You:

  1. Push the 400-pound man out of the boat to save everyone else. (Achieving the greater good).
  2. Refuse to push the 400-pound man-or anyone else-out of the boat and hope for a miracle.
  • In a 1- to 2-page paper, do the following:
    • For Part One, take the consequentialist What would the consequentialist say was the right answer for the 400-pound man in the lifeboat? Does he live or die? Defend your answer as would a consequentialist, explaining whether you decided to push the 400-pound man overboard or let him stay in the boat.
    • For Part Two, take the nonconsequentialist How does the nonconsequentialist approach to ethics bode for the passengers on the lifeboat? Put on your nonconsequentialist-colored lenses and share your thoughts on the passengers’ hope for survival. Defend your answer as would a nonconsequentialist, explaining whether you decided to push the 400-pound man overboard or let him stay in the boat.
    • Look back at your personal decision about what you would do in the situation and say whether your decision remains unchanged with the new knowledge you’ve gained from this lesson or if it has changed. Explain why or why not.

 
 
 

Philosophy homework help