Houston PHIL2306 All Discussions Latest 2019 October

PHIL2306 Introduction to Ethics

Discussion Question 1

 Moral Principles

Do you believe that moral principles are absolute or should they allow for exceptions?  Consider the examples of lying, killing, and stealing.  Is it always wrong to lie, kill, and steal, or are there circumstances when those actions might be ethically permissible (put aside the legal implications of those actions for this question).  If so, can you think of circumstances in which those actions might be ethically permissible?

 

PHIL2306 Introduction to Ethics

Discussion Question 2

Ethical Topics

Discussion Question #2: Give an example of an ethical topic or two that have piqued your interest in the past and explain why (e.g., abortion, physician-assisted suicide, income inequality, capital punishment, genetic engineering, etc.).  One of these topics may be the subject of your Critical Analysis Paper (CAP) later on.

 

PHIL2306 Introduction to Ethics

Discussion Question 3

Material Wealth

Philosophy’s first martyr, Socrates, warned his fellow Athenians in the Apology that the sole pursuit of material wealth corrupts the kind of person that we are. Explain whether you agree with this statement or not, especially in light of the “Meaning of Life” Power Point. In what way can wealth be corrupting? Does it depend on the person or circumstance?

 

PHIL2306 Introduction to Ethics

Discussion Question 4

Ethics of Technology

After watching the PBS program, 22nd Century, consider the advantages and disadvantages of the World-Wide Mind (WWM). Can you think of beneficial ways in which the WWM can be put to good use? Are there any concerns that you might have with it?

 

 

 

 

 

PHIL2306 Introduction to Ethics

Discussion Question 5

Poverty and Animal Rights

Do you find any of Peter Singer’s arguments on poverty (i.e., that we have an ethical obligation to assist those less fortunate than us) or his arguments on animal rights (that we have an ethical duty to treat nonhuman animals ethically) to be persuasive? Why or why not? Explain your reasoning.

 

PHIL2306 Introduction to Ethics

Discussion Question 6

Car Crash Testing

Are you persuaded by the utilitarian justification of cadaver use in car crash testings (that the data from those tests go on to save more lives in the future with improved safety features)?  Why or why not?  Assume that the participants gave prior informed consent for their bodies to be used in those tests.  Explain your reasoning.

 

PHIL2306 Introduction to Ethics

Discussion Question 7

Three Types of Friendships

Aristotle distinguished among three types of friendships (pleasure, utility, and character). Do you

agree with his characterizations (see below) or not? Can you think of examples or criticisms of any of these types?

–Pleasure: Since the good that is desired on both sides is pleasure and enjoyment, relationships of this sort tend to

fade and break off when what had given pleasure ceases to do so; friendship of young people often tend to be of this

kind.

— Utility: This is largely based on the usefulness that is served by being nice to one another, as is in the workplace;

there is little to sustain the relationship when the mutual utility ceases.

— Character: We wish well to our friends for their own sake; both parties

 

PHIL2306 Introduction to Ethics

Discussion Question 8

Friendships

Presuming that friends will give one another the “benefit of the doubt” and allow for all sorts of

things out of friendship, when does it become necessary to break off a friendship? Is a direct confrontation better for breaking off such a relationship, or is it better to use some indirect course, such as neglect or atrophy, until the person ceases to be in contact?