Study Guide for Midterm Exam Phil 203 MW Fall 2015 Validity and soundness in an argument. Definition of truth/types of truth/cultural differences argument/intolerance argument/3 types of intolerance/reasons cultural relativism is not a valid moral theory/reasons why cultural relativism has merit Pros/cons of DCT/Euthyphros dilemma/problems of DCT/self-referential/paradox of omnipotence Difference between psychological/ethical egoism/altruism/ arguments for PE/evolutionary psychology and PE/inclusive fitness, reproductive fitness, and reciprocal altruism, /altruism is defeating argument/Rands rational selfishnessre-definition of altruismwhat is the ultimate valuerole of pleasurelong term vs. immediate satisfaction, Why would Rand support doing an altruistic act?/ EE endorses evil actionsEE cant resolve conflicts of interestEE is arbitrary/PET and impartiality Utilitarianismdefinition/ Benthams views on pleasure, Mills views on pleasure, utilitarian calculator/strengths of utilitarianism/weakness of utilitarianism according to LeGuin, Singer, Williams From the following prompts, I will select 3 essays questions for the exam, from which you may choose 1 (and only one). 1. Relativists say that tolerance is virtuous and that an absolute, cross-cultural morality requires condemnation of other peoples moral views. Relativists conclude that, since tolerance is virtuous, relativism must be true. However, this reasoning is flawed. First the argument just sketched is unsound. Second, moral relativism does not justify holding tolerance as a virtue. Explain and critically discuss these two points. 2. Consider the following passage: If we look at the world around us, we find that different people and different cultures have different, in some cases radically different moral codes. If there were one true morality then we would not expect to find this; rather, we would expect to find individuals in agreement about morality, and a cross-cultural consensus on moral issues. After all, when we look at the world around us, we do not find that different people and different cultures have different beliefs about arithmetic. The fact of moral disagreement thus implies that morality is a product of personal opinion or culture and that relativism is true. Explain this argument, giving specific examples, and then critically discuss. 3. According to Divine Command Ethics, an action is morally permissible iff God says that the action is morally permissible. However, I presented several objections to that thesis. Explain and critically discuss two of those criticisms. 4. Briefly explain psychological egoism and explain why altruism is a problem for that theory. How might the psychological egoist reply to this criticism by drawing from evolutionary psychology. Explain and critically discuss. 5. Shafer Landau says that Ethical Egoisms biggest problem is that it cannot answer why someone would prefer one person over another. What does he mean by that? Why/why not is this a valid criticism? Explain your reasons for holding that position. 6. Compare and constrast Benthams and Mills ideas about what pleasure is. Which is more like Aristotle and which more like Plato? What features of their idea makes them resemble those ancient scholars. 7. Singer says that we should give all a considerable amount to help alleviate human suffering. What is his argument? How has he changed from his essay we read, and the video we watched? Is that change significant, in your opinion? Support that opinion with evidence. PLEASE PREPARE RESPONSES TO ALL 8 QUESTIONS

Study Guide for Midterm Exam Phil 203 MW Fall 2015 Validity and soundness in an argument. Definition of truth/types of truth/cultural differences argument/intolerance argument/3 types of intolerance/reasons cultural relativism is not a valid moral theory/reasons why cultural relativism has merit Pros/cons of DCT/Euthyphros dilemma/problems of DCT/self-referential/paradox of omnipotence Difference between psychological/ethical egoism/altruism/ arguments for PE/evolutionary psychology and PE/inclusive fitness, reproductive fitness, and reciprocal altruism, /altruism is defeating argument/Rands rational selfishnessre-definition of altruismwhat is the ultimate valuerole of pleasurelong term vs. immediate satisfaction, Why would Rand support doing an altruistic act?/ EE endorses evil actionsEE cant resolve conflicts of interestEE is arbitrary/PET and impartiality Utilitarianismdefinition/ Benthams views on pleasure, Mills views on pleasure, utilitarian calculator/strengths of utilitarianism/weakness of utilitarianism according to LeGuin, Singer, Williams From the following prompts, I will select 3 essays questions for the exam, from which you may choose 1 (and only one). 1. Relativists say that tolerance is virtuous and that an absolute, cross-cultural morality requires condemnation of other peoples moral views. Relativists conclude that, since tolerance is virtuous, relativism must be true. However, this reasoning is flawed. First the argument just sketched is unsound. Second, moral relativism does not justify holding tolerance as a virtue. Explain and critically discuss these two points. 2. Consider the following passage: If we look at the world around us, we find that different people and different cultures have different, in some cases radically different moral codes. If there were one true morality then we would not expect to find this; rather, we would expect to find individuals in agreement about morality, and a cross-cultural consensus on moral issues. After all, when we look at the world around us, we do not find that different people and different cultures have different beliefs about arithmetic. The fact of moral disagreement thus implies that morality is a product of personal opinion or culture and that relativism is true. Explain this argument, giving specific examples, and then critically discuss. 3. According to Divine Command Ethics, an action is morally permissible iff God says that the action is morally permissible. However, I presented several objections to that thesis. Explain and critically discuss two of those criticisms. 4. Briefly explain psychological egoism and explain why altruism is a problem for that theory. How might the psychological egoist reply to this criticism by drawing from evolutionary psychology. Explain and critically discuss. 5. Shafer Landau says that Ethical Egoisms biggest problem is that it cannot answer why someone would prefer one person over another. What does he mean by that? Why/why not is this a valid criticism? Explain your reasons for holding that position. 6. Compare and constrast Benthams and Mills ideas about what pleasure is. Which is more like Aristotle and which more like Plato? What features of their idea makes them resemble those ancient scholars. 7. Singer says that we should give all a considerable amount to help alleviate human suffering. What is his argument? How has he changed from his essay we read, and the video we watched? Is that change significant, in your opinion? Support that opinion with evidence. PLEASE PREPARE RESPONSES TO ALL 8 QUESTIONS