Cotemporary Moral Problems Compile

8/14/2019 Cotemporary Moral Problems Compile

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Cotemporary Moral Problems

Quan Zhou

6/7/2009

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Philippines License.

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Dedication

To my parents: Johnny Valentino Sermonia, Zheng jian hua

To my siblings: Wen Ya Zhou, Kimberly Anne Sermonia

To my classmates and friends.

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Preface

This is a compilation of discussions and book reviews,

integrative questions, that serve as guide questions and helps the

readers to further understand or polish their reading skills.

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Table of Content

Dedication02

Preface..03

James Rachels: Egoism and Moral Scepticism.....05

John Arthur: Religion, Morality, and Conscience....07

Friedrich Nietzsche: Master and Slave Morality...10

Mary Midgley: Trying Out Ones New Sword.12

John Stuart Mill: Utilitarianism.14

James Rachels: The Debate Over Utilitarianism...16

Immanuel Kant: The Categorical Imperative19

Aristotle: Happiness and Virtue.23

Joel Feinbergh: The Nature and Value of Rights...25

Ronald Dworkin: Taking Rights Seriously27

John Rawls: A Theory of Justice...29

Annette C. Baier: The Need for More than Justice..32

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Chapter1

Titleofthebook:CotemporaryMoralProblemsSeventheditionbyJamesE.WhiteFavoriteQuote:

IfIwant

only

my

own

good,

and

care

nothing

for

others,

then

Iam

selfish,

but

if

Ialso

want

other

peopletobewelloffandhappy,andifIactonthatdesire,thenmyactionisnotselfish.

BookReviewChapter:

JamesRachel:EgoismandMoralScepticism

BookReview

Ethicalegoismisthedoctrinethatholdsthatindividualsoughttodowhatisintheirselfinterest.

Ethicalegoist istheonewhostudyabouttheselfishnessandunselfishnessofaperson.Selfishperson

willdo

anything

just

to

achieve

their

goal

just

like

what

happened

in

the

legend

of

Gyges.

The

gyges

kills

theking,seducedthequeen,andstealsthethrone.Thisact isdefinitely immoralbecause it isagainst

Gods Law. Selfishness isoneattitudeofmankind.Peoplearent satisfiedwithwhat theyhave.They

wantmorepower,possessions,andmoney.Ontheotherhand,beingunselfishnessisgoodbecauseyou

cansharetheblessingswithotherpeopleyoulove.

IthinkIhavelearnedagreatlessonfromJamesbecauseheclearlystatedabouttheEgoismand

MoralScepticism.NowIknowhowtopreventsuchthing.

IntegrityQuestion

Whatistherelationofegoisminoureverydaylife? WhatisScepticism? Isitdisadvantagetobeselfishornot? Whatdoesamanwanttobeselfish?

ReviewQuestions:

1.) ExplainthelegendofGyges.Whatquestionsaboutmoralityareraisedbythestory?ThelegendofGygestellsusthatonecanbegreedywhenheorshecanachievepowers.Justlike

whatGygesdo.Hekillstheking,seducesthequeen,andstealsthethrone.

2.) DistinguishbetweenpsychologicalandethicalegoismPsychologicalegoismholdsthatallhumanactionsareselfinterestedwhileethicalegoismsays

thatallactionsoughttobeselfinterested.

3.) Rachelsdiscusses2argumentsforpsychologicalegoism.Whatarethesearguments,andhowdoeshereplytothem?

a.) SelfishandUnselfish5
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethical_egoismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethical_egoismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethical_egoismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethical_egoism


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b.) Unselfishnessleadstosatisfactoryofhuman4.) What3commonplaceconfusionsdoesRachelsdetectinthethesispsychologicalegoism?5.) Statetheargumentforsayingthatethicalegoismisinconsistent.WhydoesntRachelsacceptthisargument.

Becausethereisnoprooftoit.

6.) AccordingtoRachels,whyshouldntwehurtothers,andwhyshouldwehelpother?Howcantheegoistreply?

Weshouldnthurtothersbecauseitsnotlawful,andweshouldconsidertheadvantagethatwe

have.

DiscussionQuestion:

1.) HasRachelsansweredthequestionraisedbyGlaucon,namely,Whybemoralifso,whatexactlyishisanswer?

Yes,hestartedstatingwhyweshouldbemoralwhenhestartwritingaboutselfishnessand

unselfishness.

2.) Aregenuineegoistsrare,asRachelsclaim?Isitafactthatmostpeoplecareaboutothers,even

people

they

dont

know?

Yes,becauseIbelievewhathewrote.

3.) Supposewedefineethicalaltruismastheviewthatoneshouldalwaysactforthebenefitofothersandneverinonesownselfinterest.Issuchaviewimmoralornot?

Yes,becausetheywillalsohelpusinthefuture.

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Chapter2

Title:JohnArthur:Religion,Morality,andConscience

Quote:Mortalityissocial

Expectation:Iexpecttolearnmoreaboutthereligion,moralityandconscienceofhumanbeing.

BookReview:

Ingeneral, thearticle isaboutmoralityand religion. Itdiscusses thedifferencesbetween the

two.Religionisdescribedinasocietythathasownbeliefs.IthassomethingtodoinworshiptoGodthat

theybelievewhocreatedeveryoneofus. Whilemoralityistoaskwhatitwouldmeanforasocietyto

existwithoutasocialmoralcode. Inthischapter,IunderstoodtheDivineCommandTheory,knowwhy

JohnArthursaidthatreligionandmoralisdifferentandknowthatDeweymeansmoralityissocial.

Ihavelearnedthatreligionisnecessaryforprovidingmotivationformorality.Itisalsonecessary

forguidanceinwhatisrightandwrong.Religiondoesnotprovidestraightforwardguidance.Itneedsto

beinterpreted,butinordertointerpretitweshouldbringmoralbeliefstoabide.Therefore,religionhas

something todowithmorality in someway it claims thatGoddetermineswhat is rightandwhat is

wrong. John Arthur compares this to legal policies of the government, if therewould be no Gods

presencetherewouldbenomoralrightorwrongjustaswithouta legislaturetherewouldbeno legal

rightorwrong.

He alsoargues that thedivine command theoryhas someundesirable consequences.Arthur

believesthateveryonewhoneedsareligiontheyshouldbelieveinonethingsuchasreligiousbeliefs.

In

morality

as

being

social,

in

this

sense,

it

does

not

mean

that

ones

society

is

impossible

to

criticize one another. Thus, criticizing a social morality does not respite on the ideality of the

internalizationbutratherontheexistingindividualityofeverybody.

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IntegrityQuestions:

Whatismorality?

Whatisreligion?

Whatis

conscience?

WhatistheDivineCommandtheory?

WhoisArthur?

WhoisDewey?

ReviewQuestions:

1. AccordingtoArthur,howaremoralityandreligiondifferent?Religion

is

described

in

asociety

that

has

own

beliefs.

It

has

something

to

do

in

worship

to

God

that theybelievewhocreatedeveryoneofus.Thesociety ispraying toGod forhelp indealing

with theirproblemsand thankingHim for their good fortune. Whilemorality is toaskwhat it

wouldmeanforasocietytoexistwithoutasocialmoralcode.Itisaresponsibilityforeverypeople

thattheyhavetotakecareof.

2. Whyisntreligionnecessaryformoralmotivation?Religion isnotneeded inprovidingmoralmotivationorguidanceandthatthereligiousperson

shouldnot

give

to

to

the

divine

command

theorys

claim

that

God

is

essential

for

there

to

be

morality. It isbecause that themoralityand religionare independentofeachother.Morality

can leave without religion and vice versa. One thing is every one of us has there own

perspectives.

3. Whyisntreligionnecessaryasasourceofmoralknowledge?ReligionteachesaboutGod,whilemoralknowledgetalksaboutthehumanbehavior.

4. Whatisthedivinecommandtheory?WhydoesArthurrejectthistheory?DivineCommandtheorytalksaboutGod.Hislawisalsoourlaw.Arthurrejectsthistheory

becausewhatever

God

told

us

in

the

Law

is

correct.

What

if

it

is

not

written

then

it

is

wrong?

5. AccordingtoArthur,howaremoralityandreligionconnected?Religionalsoplaysarole inmoralitythatrelatestothemotivesofeverypeople. Ifpeoplewill

have their own religion,many of themwill probably do right. Normally, it beginswith the

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important point that doingwhat is right has something to dowithmorality. You can avoid

cheatingifyoucanbeagoodservantofGod.

6. Deweysaysthatmoralityissocial.Whatdoesthismean,accordingtoArthur?According

to

Arthur,

moralitys

social

character

extends

deeper.

The

existence

of

morality

assumes thatwepossessasocialacquired languagewithinwhichwe thinkaboutourchoices

andwhichalternativeswehavetofollow.

DiscussionQuestions:

1. HasArthurrefutedthedivinecommandtheory?Ifnot,howcanitbedefended?Yes,

because

he

stated

so

many

words

against

the

divine

command

theory.

2. Ifmoralityissocial,asDewysays,thenhowcanwehaveanyobligationstononhumananimals?Wedonthaveanyobligationstononhumananimals

3.WhatdoesDeweymeanbymoraleducation?Doesacollegeethicsclasscountasmoraleducation?Yes,becauseitdiscussesaboutmorality.

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Chapter3

Title:FriendrichNietzche:MasterandSlavemorality

Quote: Thetruthishard

Expectation:Iexpect

to

learn

about

freedom,

slave

and

mastery.

BookReview:

AccordingtoWikipedia,Mr.friendrichNietzchewasaGermanphilosopherandphilologist.His

topicsusuallyaremorality,cultureandreligion.

AsIreadthebook,Ihavelearnedthatthemasterhadapowerfulphysicality,andweredefined

asindependentandnoble.Themastermoralityvaluedpride,faith,andconfidencewithinthemselves

andmaintainedastronghatredtowardtheweak.Ontheotherhand,theslavesarekind,helpful,and

havesympathytowardstheweak.Theslavesalsohavewarmheart,patience,anddiligence.

ThesearethethingsthatIencounteredwhilereadingFriendrichNiewtzcheswork.Ihavealso

learnedabouthumanity.

ThingsIhavelearned:

IlearnedabouttheSlavemoralityandMastermorality.IhavealsolearnedtheWillofPower.

IntegrityQuestion:

1.) WhatisSlavemorality?2.) WhatisMastermorality?3.) WhatistheWilltoPower?4.) Whatisthecreationofvalues?5.) WhatistheWilltoLife?6.) WhatarethecharacteristicofSlaveandmaster?

ReviewQuestions:

1.) HowDoesNietzschecharacterizeagoodandhealthysociety?Hecharacterizeitasitisimpossiblebecausetherichareoverwhelminginthesociety.

2.) WhatisNietzschesviewofinjury,violence,andexploitation?HesviewarelikelytobeintheMasterMorality.

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3.) DistinguishbetweenmastermoralityandslavemoralityMastermoralityarestrongandcantbeorderedaround,whileslavearethosebeing

orderedaround

4.) ExplaintheWilltoPowerWilltopowerispreciselywillingtolive.

DiscussionQuestions

1.) SomepeopleviewNietzscheswritingsasharmfulandevendangerous.ForExample,somehavechargedNietzschewithinspiringNazism.Arethesechargesjustifiedornot?Whyor

whynot?

Yes,becausetheyareintheworstsituationinWorldwar2.

2.) Whatdoesitmeantobeacreatorofvalues?Itmeansthatitrespectwhomeverthecreator.

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Chapter4

Title:MaryMidgley:TryingOut OnesNewSword

Quote:Nobodycanrespectwhatisentirelyunintelligibletothem.

Expectation:I

expect

to

learn

more

about

ways

of

sword

BookReview:

According toWikipedia,MaryMidgley isanEnglishphilosopher.She isanexperton religion,

science,ethicsandhumanrelationshipwithanimal.Shewasalsoanauthorofalotofbooks.

MaryMidgley talks aboutmoral isolationismwhichmeans it is never correct tojudgeother

peoplereligionorculturalact.Ifwewantotherstorespectours,weshouldjustignoreoravoidthemor

byfollowingwhattheydo.Thisisthewaytorespectotherreligion.

Forme,

Inever

agree

with

tsujigiri

because

it

is

so

brutal.

It

is

never

correct

to

hurt

others.

We

shouldrespectthevaluesofotherpeople.

ThingsIhavelearned:Ihavelearnedtorespectothercultures.

IntegrityQuestions

1. Whatdoestryingoutonesnewswordmean?2. WhoisMaryMidgley?3. Whataretheothercultures?4. Doweneedtorespectothercultures?

ReviewQuestions

1. Whatismoralisolationism?Moralisolationismiscriticizingofotherculturethatyouhaveneverencountered.

2. ExplaintheJapanesecustomoftsujigiri.WhatquestionsdoesMidgleyaskaboutthuscustom?TsujigiriisacultureofJapanesewhereasamuraineededtosharpentheirswordtocutathing

orahumanfromedgetoedge.Ifitfails,theyaredisgraceful.

3. Whatiswrongwithmoralisolationism,accordingtoMidgley?TheyaredoingimpurethingsliketheNazis.

4. WhatdoesMidgleythinkisthebasisforcriticizingothercultures?Midgleybasisisthattheydontknowthecultureofotherpeoplethatswhytheyarecriticizingit.

DiscussionQuestions

1. MidgleysaysthatNietzscheisanimmoralist.IsthatanaccurateandfairassessmentofNietzsche?Whyorwhynot?

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Yes,becauseNietzschesupportsMasterandslavemorality.Weshouldnotjudgeotherpeople

bytheirstatusinlife.

2. DoyouagreewithMidgleysclaimthattheideaofseparateandunmixedculturesisunreal?Explainyouranswer.

Yes,because

human

wants

to

know

more

about

other

things.

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Chapter5

Title:JohnStuartMill:Utilitarianism

Quote:Todoasyouwouldbedoneby,andtoloveyourneighborasyourself

Expectation:IexpecttolearnmoreaboutUtilitarianism,andthemorallessonsbehindit.

BookReview:

Utilitarianism is about happiness and pleasures. For me, I always attained happiness and

pleasuresfrommyfamily,friendsandthethingthatIplayedwith.IneverfeltanythinginsecurewhenI

amwiththemorplayingwiththem.

Higherpleasuresand lowerpleasures, thisarethingthatbeing tackled in thischapter.Higher

pleasuresarethosethatsatisfyustothemax,whilethelowerpleasuresitalsosatisfiesbutonlyalittle.

Itmayactdifferentlyoneveryone.Somepeoplemightexperienceacertainthingwhichheconsidereda

higherpleasure,

while

the

other

for

them

it

is

alower

pleasure.

ThingsIhavelearned:

WeshouldconsiderUtilitarianism.

Thehigherandlowerpleasures

IntegrityQuestions:

WhoisJohnStuartMill?

WhatisUtilitarianism?

Whatishappinesstohuman?

ReviewQuestions:

1. StateandexplainthePrincipleofUtility.Showhowitcouldbeusedtojustifyactionsthatareconventionallyviewedaswrong,suchaslyingandstealing.

Ahumandoesnotwanttolieorstealfromotherpeople.Theywanttoearnitthroughhardship

2. HowdoesMillreplytotheobjectionthatEpicureanismisadoctrineworthyonlyofswine?MilldoesnotagreewiththeDoctrine.

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3. HowdoesMilldistinguishbetweenhigherandlowerpleasures?Lowerpleasuresisbeingdiscontent,whilehigherpleasureissatisfaction.

4. AccordingtoMill,whosehappinessmustbeconsidered?According

to

Mill,

everyone

happiness

must

be

considered.

5. CarefullyreconstructMillsproofofthePrincipleofUtility.Peopleseehappinessasearthmaterialswhichyoucanholdorown.


1. Ishappinessnothingmorethanpleasure,andtheabsenceofpain?Whatdoyouthink?No,happinessisnotalwayspleasureandtheabsenceofpainbecauseyoucantgetitfromyour

parents.

2. DoesMillconvinceyouthatthesocalledhigherpleasuresarebetterthanthelowerones?Whataboutthepersonofexperiencewhoprefersthelowerpleasuresoverthehigherones?

Forme,

the

higher

pleasures

possibly

the

lower

pleasures

of

other

people.

3. Millsays,InthegoldenruleofJesusofNazareth,wereadthecompletespiritoftheethicsofutility.Isthistrueornot?

Itisfalse.

4. ManycommentatorshavethoughtthatMillsproofofthePrincipleofUtilityisdefected.Doyouagree?Ifso,thenwhatmistakeormistakesdoeshemake?Isthereanywaytoreformulatethe

proofsothatitisnotdefective?

Yes,Iagreeitisdefected.

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Chapter6

Title:JamesRachelsThedebateoverUtilitarianism

Quote:Mandoesnotstriveafterhappiness,onlytheEnglishmandoesthat

Expectation:I

expect

to

learn

more

about

Utilitarianism

of

James

Rachels

BookReview:

ThischapterdiscussedaboutthedebateoverUtilitarianismbyJamesRachel.Hesaidthatthe

classicalutilitarianismcanbesummarizedintothreeschemes.Firstoneistheconsequencesinjudging

the actions that are right and wrong. The second is the measuring the amount of happiness or

unhappinessofeachpeople.Accordingtothemeaningofhedonism,itisthesameashappinessthatis

equal topleasureminuspain. Lastly, the calculationofhappinessorunhappiness, it isbecauseeach

personswellbeingisequallyessential.

Happinessiswhatpeoplewantfortheirlives.Itistheonlythingthatisultimatelygoodforevery

personand it is knownashedonism.Generally,happiness isa kindofbroadoverall satisfactionand

goodness in life.Many fundamentallygoodthingsthataredesirable likeartistry,knowledge, loveand

pleasure.They

believe

that

basically

happiness

is

the

one

ultimate

goal

of

everyone.

Contemporaryutilitarianismspeaksofinterestsatisfactionputtingthehorsebefore.Thebestis

whenyouknowthepreferenceofsatisfactionofallaffectedpersons.Thissatisfactionbringspleasure.

There are also three arguments in utilitarianism, such as,justice, rights and promise. Justice is an

argumentthatonlysomeonehasawitnessagainstthe innocentpersonand it iscalledfairness.While

rights,everypersonhas theirownrights, likerighttospeak, right to fight for theirbeliefs,etc.These

rightscanmakethemsatisfiedineverythingtheywanttopursue.Finally,thepromise,ineverypromise

thereisanobligationtoanotherpartyanditisnoteasytoescapefromit.Itwillalsoraiseasatisfaction

onbothpartieswhenanobligationhasbeenreached.

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WhatIhavelearned:Ihavelearnedhowimportanttobefairtoeachother.Happinessisimportantfor

eachandeveryoneofus.

IntegrityQuestions:

WhoisJamesRachels?

WhatisthedebateoverUtilitarianism?

Howimportantarejustice,rights,andpromises?

Doeshappinessmatter?Inwhatway?

ReviewQuestions:

1. Rachelssaysthatclassicalutilitarianismcanbesummedinthisproposition.Whatarethey?Thefirstpropositionsaretheconsequencesonjudgingwhatisrightorwrong.Certainly,the

bestconsequencesaretherightactionsandtheleastconsequencesarethewrongones.

Secondly,measuringthehappinessandunhappinessareonlythingthatmattersinassessing

consequences.Finally,thecalculationofhappinessorunhappinessarebothnecessarybecause

everyoneswellbeingisequallyimportant.

2. Explaintheproblemwithhedonism.Howdodefendersutilitarianismrespondtothisproblem?Theproblemwithhedonismisthethoughtthatonlyhappinessistheoneeventualgoodfor

everybody.Onedefendersaysthatherhappinessendedwhenshewasinjuredinanaccident

andforthatreasonshecannotplaypianoanymore.Asaresponse,wecannotstayawayinany

tragediesjusttomakethepianisthappy.

3. Whataretheobjectionsaboutjustice,rightsandpromises?Theargumentinjusticeisnoteverytragedyitswitnesstohavefairness.Inrights,everybodyhas

theirownrightstobehappy.Promisehasanobligationtoeveryone.

4. Distinguishbetweenruleandactutilitarianism.Howdoesruleutilitarianismreplytothisobjection?

Theactisoldversionwhiletheruleisthenewerversionofutilitarianism.

5. Whatisthethirdlineofdefense?Thethirdlineofdefenseisasmallgroupofpresentdayutilitarian,andtheyoftenhavedifferent

insightsinantiutilitarianarguments.

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1. Smartsdefenseofutilitarianismistorejectcommonmoralbeliefswhentheyconflictwithutilitarianism.Isthisacceptabletoyouornot?Explainyouranswer.

No,becauseImnotautilitarian.

2. Autilitarianissupposedtogivemoralconsiderationtoallconcerned.Whomustbeconsidered?Whataboutnonhumananimals?Howaboutlakesandstreams?

Everybodyshouldbeawareoftheirsurroundingespeciallythoseanimalsandnatures.

3. Rachelsclaimsthatmeritshouldbegivenmoralconsiderationindependentofutility.Doyouagree?

Yes,IagreebecauseIbelievethatmeritshouldbegivenimportanceasajustice.

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Chapter 7

Title: Immanuel Kant: The Categorical Imperative

Quote:

Act only on that maxim through which you can at the same time will that it should become a

universal law

Expectation:

I expect that I will gain important information about Kants philosophical thinking about

categorical imperative.

Book Review:

In general, Immanuel Kant of categorical imperative discussed and illustrated the

meaning of it and the rules towards many people. Kants philosophical view of good will is one

of his important moral ideas. The meaning of good will is close in being a good person or a

person of good will. His account of the good will has a duty in agreement with the universal

moral law that all human being has their own freedom. Good will like courage, resolution, and

constancy of purpose are good in many compliments.

There is no implied limit or qualification in giving moral considerations that will take

affect to the determination to give moral considerations. Maintaining ones moral goodness is

very important in every condition that being pursued by people. Pleasure and intelligence has

also something to do with good will because it does not require giving up on every persons

moral certainties.

The goodness of good should not depend on any particular situations that are obtaining.

Therefore, Kant illustrates that a good will must also be good in itself and not only to the good

value on any meticulous happenings.

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One of the formulations of Kants categorical imperative is the Formula of Universal

Law of Nature which effects to sum up a decision process of moral way of thinking. People

should act in any circumstances that govern all normal means and by natural law, act as

proposing your self. Always consider whether your saying is considerable in a place governed by

this law of nature.

Base on Kants study, there are also two duties imposed by the first formulation, such as,

the perfect duty and the imperfect duty. These duties consists respect for the law. These are also

created by rules and laws. Thus, if we have our own duty, our inspiration is to respect the law

and do our responsibilities and duties.

Integrity Questions:

Who is Immanuel Kant? What is an account of good will? How important is this? What is categorical imperative? What is hypothetical imperative? What is a maxim? How many formulations did Immanuel discuss in this chapter? What are the two duties imposed by the first formulation?

Review Questions:

1. Explain Kants account of the good will.From Kants chapter, his account of the good will has a duty in agreement with the

universal moral law that all human being has their own freedom. Good will like courage,

resolution, and constancy of purpose are good in many compliments.

2. Distinguish between hypothetical and categorical imperatives.20


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Categorical imperative is introduced by Immanuel Kant. According to him that the

human beings have an important role in creation from which all duties of every person

derives, whereas hypothetical imperative induces action in a specified condition or to do

something that will satisfy our desired goal.

3. State the first formulation of the categorical imperative (using the notion of a universallaw) and explain how Kant uses this rule to derive some specific duties toward self and

others.

From this formulation, he bring to a close that a moral proposition that is true should not

be the one to tie in any particular conditions. Kant also undertook that a moral maxim

must have universality. The formulation is divided to two, such as, perfect duty and

imperfect duty. Categorical imperative sets that a duty is necessity to act out of respect

for the law.

4. State the second version of the categorical imperative (using the language of means andend) and explain it.

The second version of categorical imperative has a free will, a source of all normal action.

By combining the second to the first formulation, a person has a perfect duty due to not

using the humanity of them.

Discussion Question:

1. Are the two versions of the categorical imperative just different expressions of one basicrule, or are they two different rules? Defend your view.

The two versions of the categorical imperative have their own different expressions. The

first focuses on duties while the second discusses about the source of all human action.

2. Kant claims that an action that is not done from the motive of duty has no moral worth.Do you agree or not? If not, give some counterexamples.

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No, all duties has its moral worth because you will take many responsibilities and

obligations to reach your purpose.

3. Some commentators think that the categorical imperative (particularly the firstformulation) can be used to justify non-moral actions. Is this a good criticism?

Yes it can be used to justify non-moral actions as a good criticism.

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Chapter8

Title:AristotleHappinessandVirtue

Quote:Formenaregoodinbutoneway,butbadinmany.

Expectation:Iexpect

to

learn

about

happiness

and

virtue

which

will

be

tackled

in

this

chapter.

BookReview:

AccordingtoWikipedia,AristotlewasaphilosopherfromGreek.Hewasoneofthefirststudents

ofPlatowhowasalsoagreatphilosopher.Hewasalsothefounderofwesternphilosophy.

Happinessandvirtuearethetopicwhichhechose.Happinessissomethingwhichcannotbe

foundinpleasure.Virtueissomethingyougainedfromhardworkorintensetraining. Ihavemanyhard

experienceswhichIendureit.Aristotletaughtmetostayhappyregardlessofwhatmayhappen.

ThingsIhavelearned:

Ihavelearnedthedifferencesofhappinessandvirtuefrompleasure.Ihavealsolearnedmoralvirtueis

notearnedeasily.Youhavetostrivehardtoachieveit.

IntegrityQuestion:

Whatishappiness?

WhatisVirtue?

WhoisAristotle?

ReviewQuestions:

1.) Whatishappiness,accordingtoAristotle?Howisitrelatedtovirtue?Howisitrelatedtopleasure?

AccordingtoAristotle,happinessisnotapleasure.Itisgainedfromexperienceortrainingto

achievevirtue.

2.) HowdoesAristotleexplainmoralvirtue?AccordingtoAristotle,moralvirtueisattaintedthroughhardwork.

3.) IsitpossibleforeveryoneinoursocietytobehappyasAristotleexplainsit?Ifnot,whocannotbehappy?

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Yes,everyonecanbehappy.


1.) Aristotlecharacterizesalifeofpleasureassuitableforbeasts.Butwhat,ifanything,iswrongwithalifeofpleasure?

Lifeofpleasureissomethingyoucantgainforeternal.Thosearemoney,andflirting.

2.) Aristotleclaimsthatthephilosopherwillbehappierthananyoneelse.Whyisthis?Doyouagreeornot?

Idonotagreebecausenoteveryoneisdoingwelleventhoughtheyarehappy.

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Chapter9

Title:JoelFeinbergTheNatureandvalueofrights

Quote:Charitablecontributionsaremorelikegratuitousservices,favours,andgiftsthanlike

repaymentsofdebts

Expectations:IexpecttolearnaboutJoelFeinberg.Andhistopicaboutthenatureandvalueofrights.

BookReview:

JoelFeinberg(October19,1926 March29,2004)wasanAmericanpoliticaland

socialphilosopher.Heisknownforhisworkinthefieldsofindividualrightsandtheauthorityofthe

state.[1]FeinberghelpedinshapingtheAmericanlegallandscape.

FeinbergstudiedattheUniversityofMichigan,writinghisdissertationonthephilosophyofthe

HarvardprofessorRalphBartonPerryunderthesupervisionofCharlesStevenson.HetaughtatBrown

University,Princeton

University,

UCLA

and

Rockefeller

University,

and

at

the

University

of

Arizona,

whereheretiredin1994asRegentsProfessorofPhilosophyand

Law.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joel_Feinberg

Thischapterisabouttherightsofhuman.Weshouldtreateachoneofusequally.Ipersonally

dontwantotherstotreatmelikeatrashsoIdonttreatthemthatway.Theideaofpersonaldesertis

thatwedeservewhatweachieve.Ithinkweneedtostrivehardsothatwecanhavethebest.

ThingsIhavelearned:Ihavelearnedtounderstandmoreabouttherightsofhumanandtherightsof

nature.

IntegrityQuestions:

WhoisJoelFeinberg?

Whatisthevalueofrights?

WhatistheNature?

ReviewQuestions:

1.) DescribeNowheresville.Howisthisworlddifferentfromourworld?Nowheresvilleisaplaceofnorules.Youcanthaveequalityandpeace.Itisverydifferent

fromoursbecausewehavehumanrights.

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2.) Explainthedoctrineofthelogicalcorrelativityofrightandduties.WhatisFeinbergspositiononthisdoctrine?

Thisdoctrineisfromdutytorights.

3.) HowdoesFeinbergexplaintheconceptofpersonaldesert?HowwouldpersonaldesertworkinNowheresville?

Feinbergexplainthateveryonedeservesthebestwhentheyworkhardforit.

4.) Explainthenotionofasovereignrightmonopoly.HowwouldthisworkinNowheresvilleaccordingtoFeinberg?

ThisaretherightsoftheMonopolywhichisnottrulytherightofhumanbeing.

5.) Whatareclaimrights?WhydoesFeinbergthinktheyaremorallyimportant?Claimrightsaretherightsofhuman.


1.) DoesFeinbergmakeaconvincingcasefortheimportanceofrights?Whyorwhynot?Yes,Feinbergshowshisthoughtonhowtomakerightsforeachandeveryoneofus.

2.) Canyougiveanoncirculardefinitionofclaimright?No.

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Chapter10

Title:RonaldDworkin:TakingRightsSeriously

Quote:Inpracticethegovernmentwillhavethelastwordonwhatanindividualsrightsare

Expectation:

IexpecttolearnmoreaboutRonaldDworkinschapterabouttakingrightsseriously.

BookReview:

Ronald Dworkin graduated from Harvard University studied about the institution of rights. In this

chapter,heexplainsabouttakingrightsseriously. AccordingtoDworkin,rightsweredominatedbyhigh

officialsinagovernmentinrulinganation. Ithasastrongsense inneedingtoseemoralrights.These

rightswereprotectedby lawsandpolicies inastate. Healsodiscussedthedifferencesbetween legal

rightsandmoralrights.Legalrightsareoftenbeliefsbydifferentpeoplewhothinkthattheserightsare

realand

unchangeable

unless

the

congress

will

say

so,

whereas,

the

moral

rights

are

principles

or

createdbythechurchoraspecificreligion.Anexampleoflegalrightthatisnotamoralrightisfollowing

the signs and policies in a roadway.Moral right that isnot a legal right is visiting the church every

Sunday.

Dworkin also contributed some important ideas on equality. He mentioned two models in the

institutionsofrights.Thefirstoneisaboutthegovernmentspoliciesinsecuringallindividualbeings.It

illustratestherightsbetweenanindividualpersonandthedemandsofthesociety.Thesecondmodelis

moreonpoliticalequality.Fromthechapter,thefirstmodelhadcaughtDworkinsinterests.

ThingsIhavelearned:

Ihavelearnedhowtotakerightsseriously.Ialsolearnedthedifferencesbetweenlegalrightsfrom

moralrights.

IntegrityQuestions:

WhoisRonaldDworkin?

DescribethetwomodelsofDworkin?

Whyshouldwetakerightsseriously?

Howimportantisthegovernmentslaw?

Differentiatelegalrightsfrommoralrights.

Whatistheinstitutionofrights?

ReviewQuestions:

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1. WhatdoesDworkinmeanbyrightinthestrongsense?WhatrightsinthissenseareprotectedbytheU.S.Constitution?

Rightsweredominatedbyhighofficialsinagovernmentinrulinganation. Ithasastrongsense

inneedingtoseemoralrights.Thesewereprotectedbylawsandpoliciesinastate.

2. Distinguishbetween legal andmoral rights.Give some examples of legal rights that arenotmoralrights,andmoralrightsthatarenotlegalrights.

Legal rights are often beliefs by different people who think that these rights are real and

unchangeableunlessthecongresswillsayso,whereas,themoralrightsareprinciplesorcreated

bythechurchoraspecificreligion.Anexampleoflegalrightthatisnotamoralrightisfollowing

the signsandpolicies ina roadway.Moral right that isnota legal right isvisiting thechurch

everySunday.

3. Whatare the twomodelsofhowagovernmentmightdefine the rightof itscitizens?Whichdoes

Dworkin

find

more

attractive?

Thefirstmodel isaboutthegovernmentspolicies insecuringall individualbeings.Thesecond

model ismoreonpolitical equality. From the chapter, the firstmodelhad caughtDworkins

interests.

4. AccordingtoDworkin,whattwoimportantideasarebehindtheinstitutionofrights?PoliticalandsocialarethetwoimportantthingsbehindtheinstitutionofrightsofRonald

Dwrokin.

DiscussionQuestion:

1. Doesapersonhavearighttobreakthelaw?Whyorwhynot?Yes,everypersonhastherighttobreakeverylawinthegovernmentbuts/heshouldbeready

fortheconsequencesthatmayhappentothem.

2. ArerightsinthestrongsensecompatiblewithMillsutilitarianism?Baseonmyreadings,DworkinsstudyhasnothingtodowithMillsutilitarianism.

3. DoyouthinkthatKantwouldacceptrightsinthestrongsenseornot?Baseonmyopinion,Kantwillallowtheserightsinastrongsense.

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Chapter11

Title:JohnRawls:ATheoryofJustice

Quote:

Justiceas

fairness

begins

one

of

the

most

general

of

all

choices

Expectation:

IexpectthatitwillhelpmeunderstandthetheoryofjusticebyJohnRawls.Ialsoanticipatetolearnhow

importantjusticetoallindividuals.

WhatIhavelearned:

Ihave learnedthetwo importantprinciplesbyJohnRawls.Thetwoareboth importantprinciples,the

first one is about equality in laws and policies while the second principle is about inequality in

distributions.

BookReview:

Base from the Wikipedia, John Rawls was born on February 21, 1921. He was

an American philosopher and a leading figure in moral and political philosophy. Rawls received

the Schock Prize for Logic and Philosophy and the National HumanitiesMedal in 1999, the latter

presentedbyPresidentBillClinton,inrecognitionofhowRawls'sthought"helpedawholegenerationof

learnedAmericansrevivetheirfaithindemocracyitself."(Retrievedfromwww.wikipedia.com,June2,

2009).

areinsufficientlypaidup.Thosearethetwoprinciplesthatweareallencounteringfromnowandthen.

distributivejusticesuchaswealth.Hisfirstprincipleprotectsthe

equality

and

freedom

of

every

people.

IntegrityQuestions:

WhoisJohnRawls?

WhatarethetwoprinciplesofJohnRawls?

Differentiatethetwoprinciples.

Generally,this

chapter

explains

the

two

principles

by

John

Rawls.

The

two

principles

are

liberty

andwealth.The firstprinciple is theprincipleof libertywhichhas something todowith the lawand

policyaccordanceofallpeoplewhich istobesubjectasanequaltreatmentofthegovernment. This

principle discussesmore about equality among people.While the second principle iswealth,which

illustratesthattherichnessofan individualareunequaltoeachother.Somearehighlypaidandsome

IntheTheoryofJusticebyJohnRawls,hetriedtomergelibertyandequalityinaprincipledway.

Byexplainingthatjusticeisfairnessanditishismostfamousapproachinphilosophicalthinking.Healso

triedtoconnectthislibertyprincipleto

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DoyouagreetothetwoprinciplesmadebyRawls?

Whichismoreimportant,thefirstorthesecondprinciple?Why?

ReviewQuestions:

1. CarefullyexplainRawlssconceptionoftheoriginalposition?JohnRawlssconceptionofjusticehastwoprinciples.Thefirstprincipleexplainstheequality

while the secondprincipleexplains the socialandeconomic inequalities.Theseprinciples

generallyexplainthatjusticeisfairness.

2. StateandexplainRawlssfirstprincipleofjustice.The first principle explains the equal right between people with freedom same as the

freedom of others. Justice regulates and follows some various laws and policies to be

followedby

the

government

people.

3. Stateandexplainthesecondprinciple.Whichprinciplehasprioritysuch that itcannotbesacrificed?

The secondprinciplediscusses the socialand economic inequalities to theextendof the

distribution of income and wealth. In our economy, not all people have the same

responsibilities,chainsofcommandsandthesemakeoursocietyunequal.


1. Onthefirstprinciple,eachpersonhasanequalrighttothemostextensivebasiclibertyaslongasthisdoesnot interferewithasimilar libertyforothers.Whatdoesthisallowpeopletodo?

Doesitmean,forexample,thatpeoplehaverighttoengageinhomosexualactivitiesaslongas

they dont interferewith others? Can people produce and view pornography if it does not

restrictanyonesfreedom?Arepeopleallowedtotakedrugsintheprivacyoftheirhomes?

Thefirstprincipleallowspeopletodowhattheywantbecausewehaveourownfreedom.But

weshouldknowthelimitations,ifeverwehaddonesomethingthatisbeyondthelimitationwe

havetofaceourownriskto it.Yes,peoplemaydowhatevertheywanttodo in life.Theyare

notrestricted

to

choose

people

they

want

to

be

with.

All

of

that

are

freedoms,

people

may

choose what they want especially in their own house. But we should always know our

limitations.

2. Is it possible for free and rational persons in the original position to agree upon differentprinciplesthangivebyRawls?Forexample,whywouldnttheyagreetoanequaldistributionof

30


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Yes,itispossible.Abouttheequaldistributionlikeincome,wedonotchoosethis,butwehave

totakeitbecauseitistheextentofourservicethathastobepaid.

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Chapter12

Title:AnnetteCBaier:TheNeedformorethanjustice

Quote:JusticeasFairnessisnotacompletecontracttheory.

Expectation:Iexpect

to

learn

about

the

Theory

of

justice.

BookReview:

AnnetteC.Baier(neStoop)(born1929)isawellknownmoralphilosopherandHumescholar,

focusinginparticularonHume'smoralpsychology.Formostofhercareershetaughtinthephilosophy

departmentattheUniversityofPittsburgh,havingmovedtherefromCarnegieMellonUniversity.She

retiredtohernativeDunedin,NewZealand,whereshegraduatedfromtheUniversityofOtago.Sheis

alsowellknownforhercontributionstofeministphilosophyandtothephilosophyofmind,whereshe

wasstronglyinfluencedbyherformercolleague,WilfridSellars.HerhusbandisthephilosopherKurt

Baier.

SheisaformerPresidentoftheEasternDivisionoftheAmericanPhilosophicalAssociation,an

officereservedfortheeliteofherprofession.BaierreceivedanhonoraryDoctorofLiteraturefromthe

UniversityofOtagoin1999.InOctober2007,Baierwasranked72ndinalistof"Top100livinggeniuses"

compiledbyTheDailyTelegraph.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annette_Baier

AnnettedisapproveswithKantianviewbecauseshebelievesthatHistorywillrepeatitself.The

theorydoesntshowgreatresultinthepast.SoshestickswithhertheoryandcriticizesKantiantheory.

Justiceperspectivearelikelywhatmenlikes,andcareperspectivearelikelywhatwomenlikesbut

sometimesitcanbeopposite.Nowadays,morewomendoesntwantotherstoseethemaskingforhelp.

Theywant

equality

with

men.

ThingsIhavelearned:

IhavelearnedwhatJusticeperspective.

Ihavelearnedwhatcareperspective.

IntegrityQuestions:

Whois

Annette?

WhatisJustice?

Whatisfairness?

ReviewQuestions:

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33/33

1.) Distinguishbetweenthejusticeandcareperspectives.AccordingtoGilligan,howdotheseperspectivesdevelop?

Theseperspectivesdevelopthroughwomenwhopreferjusticeratherthancarebecause

womennowadaysdontwanttobelittle.

2.) ExplainKohlbergstheoryofmoraldevelopment.WhatcriticismsdoGilliganandBaiermakeofthistheory?

Theycriticizeitasnobodywasinterestedinthattheory.

3.) BaiersaystherearethreeimportantdifferencesbetweenKantianliberalsandtheircritics.Whatarethesedifferences?

Thedifferencesaretheemotions,thefreedomofchoice,andtheequality.

4.) WhydoesBaierattacktheKantianviewthatthereasonshouldcontrolunrulypassions?Sheattacksbecauseshebelievesitwasafailure.


1.) WhatdoesBaiermeanwhenshespeaksoftheneedtotransvaluethevaluesofourpatriarchalpast?Donewvaluesreplacetheoldones?Ifso,thendoweabandontheold

valuesofjustice,freedom,andright?

Shemeansthatwhenthereisagoodidea.weshouldadaptitandacceptit.

2.)WhatiswrongwiththeKantianviewthatextendsequalrightstoallrationalbeings,including

womenandminorities?WhatwouldBaiersay?Whatdoyouthink?

ShethinksthatKantianviewisafailurebecauseofwhathadhappenedinthepast.Thatwhy

shedislikeit.

3.)BaierseemstorejecttheKantianemphasisonfreedomofchoice.Granted,wedonotchoose

ourparent,butstilldontwehavefreedomofchoiceaboutmanythings,andisntthisvery

important?

IthinkitisveryimportanttomebecauseIwanttohavefreedom.

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