Phil 160 – Writing Assignment #2

Phil 160 – Writing Assignment #2
Queens College
Department of Philosophy
Phil 160 – Prof. Matthew T. Puglisi
Writing Assignment #2
Submission deadline:
Answer ALL of the following questions with clear, detailed essays.
All answers are to be typed (10-12 pt. font, double-spaced), with a proper heading at
the top of your submission (name, student ID, semester and year, subject and
section).
All answers are to be restricted to the assigned readings, corresponding lectures,
and posted supplements. Outside sources are not permitted in your submissions.
Proper reference to the course material should be given throughout.
Be thorough. Be detailed. Ensure that your essays are well-written, and
well-referenced.
As always, if you have any questions, comments, or concerns, e-mail me at
mattpuglisi@hotmail.com.
Virtue Ethics
1) Aristotle suggests that “ the good for man is happiness”, and considers three ideas of what “
happiness” is. What are they, and how does he argue that none of them are “happiness”?
2) What is Aristotle’s definition of “happiness”, and how does he argue for it?
3) Discuss Aristotle’s account of virtue. What is a virtue? How, according to Aristotle, is virtue
acquired? What is the “virtuous disposition”, and how can we tell that the virtuous disposition
has been acquired? Cite specific moral virtues in your discussion.
4) What are the advantages of virtue ethics?
5) What is the “problem of incompleteness” in virtue ethics?
Utilitarianism
6) What is the principle of utility? Provide two examples of its application.
7) Compare and contrast Bentham and Mill on the principle of utility. How does Bentham
formulate it? How does Mill’s approach differ from Bentham’s? What does Mill accomplish by
changing the conception of the principle of utility?
8) Bentham considers and criticizes 2 sets of principles that are opposed to utility. What are they,
and how does he criticize each of them?
9) Discuss the difficulties with: the idea that happiness is all that matters; the idea that
consequences are all that matter; the requirement of strict impartiality.
10) Discuss the three lines of defense open to the Utilitarian, as considered by Rachels.
Kantianism
11) Kant’s moral theory is “deontological”. What does this mean?
12) What, according to Kant, is the only thing that is “good without qualification”? How are all
other goods qualified?
13) What are the key differences between hypothetical and categorical imperatives?
14) We looked at 2 formulations of the categorical imperative. State them. In what way can they
be thought of as expressing the same principle?
15) What is a “ maxim”, and what role does it play in Kant’s moral theory? Demonstrate the role
of maxims and the first formulation of the categorical imperative in Kant’s reasoning that we
should never lie.
16) What, according to Anscombe, is wrong with Kant’s reasoning that we should never lie?
What is the principle argument against absolute moral rules?
Social Contract Theory
17) What is the basic idea behind Social Contract Theory?
18) How does Hobbes “state of nature” argument provide motivation for this view?
19) How does the “prisoner’s dilemma” provide motivation for this view?
20) What are SCT’s advantages? What are the difficulties for SCT?
Virtue Ethics:
https://us-lti.bbcollab.com/recording/e72195c518f24c5bbfd2e0f205a6f987
(This lecture is on NE books 1 and 2. The relevant material starts at the 8-minute mark.)
https://us-lti.bbcollab.com/recording/5e7cdb95b3574d909799deada9aa1161
(This lecture begins with a review NE books 1 and 2. The material on NE book 3, along with an
introductory discussion of the Problem of Free Will, starts at the 1-hour mark.)
Utilitarianism; Kantianism:
https://us-lti.bbcollab.com/recording/9d86712f5dc94bc3b77b072b5e41297b
https://us-lti.bbcollab.com/recording/39c3287486654c7caa97674a9dc024c6
https://us-lti.bbcollab.com/recording/a956aeae20414bdfaa706b8fee1c2e29
https://us-lti.bbcollab.com/recording/853a3c50600b4d94bb4acc66a4288419
Social Contract Theory:
https://us-lti.bbcollab.com/recording/c2174d1e05a1470b95a6b3130cc02db0