Instruction
1. Define ‘moral value’. What does it mean for moral values to be fundamental to morality? Give some examples of how we might define ‘moral rightness’ and ‘moral wrongness’. Which definition do you think is the best? Why? Briefly describe the role that beliefs play in morality.
2. Explain moral universalism, moral relativism, and moral descriptivism briefly. Contrast all three of these descriptions of moral theories with respect to how they treat moral judgements or moral rules. Pick one of the three descriptions: say why it is the most accurate (with respect to the world) and then respond to one objection that could be raised against that description.
3. Give brief descriptions of each of the four principles of medical ethics we went over in class. Give an example of how two of these principles might conflict (not work with each other). Explain how you would resolve that conflict, and explain why you would resolve it in that particular way. Finally, state which principle (out of all four) you think is the most important for medical ethics and why.
4. Explain the difference between utilitarianism and Kantianism. Explain the difference between Kantianism and natural law theory. Pick one of these two contrasts; defend one of the theories involved. Next, bring up one of the problems we discussed in class for the theory you defended. Explain how you would respond to this problem.
5. The following scenario is a version of the trolley problem: a runaway trolley is barreling toward five people tied to the trolley tracks by a nefarious criminal; you are standing above the trolley tracks next to an extremely fat man; if you push the man off the bridge you are both on, he can stop the trolley from running over the bound persons below. Do you push the fat man off the bridge, killing him to save the other five? Answer the question, and then explain why you would or would not kill the fat man. Consider an objection to your answer, using one of the three major moral theories we talked about in class (utilitarianism, Kantianism, natural law theory). Respond to this objection, making reference to a problem with the objecting moral theory.