Throughout the second half of the term, we have discussed several authors that have presented their own coherent ethical systems. How do you feel about their efforts?
Do you think utilitarianism is right?
What are your thoughts on the greatest good for the greatest number?
How do you feel about negative responsibility?
Do you think any of our case studies especially support or hinder utilitarian theory?
Do you think deontology is right?
What are your thoughts on not being able to consider the consequences of our actions?
How do you feel about judging others on their intentions alone, even though we may never know them?
Do you think we will ever be able to resolve the problem of conflicting duties?
Do you think virtue theory is right?
What are your thoughts on judging a person’s character?
Do you think we will ever be able to truly know someone’s character?
How do we respond to or evaluate actions that are out of character?
Do you think we will ever be able to resolve the problem of ranking virtues?
Do you think they are all failures and have a theory of your own?
Remember, the focus of your paper is to answer 2 questions: 1) which theory is superior, 2) an explanation of your answer. You do not need to review the assignments we covered in class, unless you share the same thoughts as one of our authors. You are not graded on your ability to summarize what others have said, but rather your ability to present a solid, thoroughly explained philosophical argument.
