Unit 4 (Deontology-part two) Assignment

Discussion Blog: 1st 3 students, give an example of a hypothetical and a categorical

imperative, and explain what makes one hypothetical and the other categorical; 2nd 3

students, why does Kant reject happiness as the goal for ethics?; last 4 or so students,

restate Kant’s “categorical imperative” (from the reading) and explain what it means to

you.


 “How could you, as an individual, help bring about Kant’s ‘kingdom of ends?’”; 2nd 8

students, “What sort of social/economic conditions would need to exist in order for there

to be a ‘kingdom of ends?’”; and last 8 or so students, “Is the ‘kingdom of ends’ worth

striving for? Why or why not?”

Unit 4 (Deontology-part one) Assignment

Discussion Blog: 1^st 3 students, give an example of an empirical and a metaphysical statement, and explain what makes one empirical and the other metaphysical; 2^nd 3 students, what does Kant mean by a “good will”?; and last 4 or so students, what does Kant mean by “duty”?

Unit 3 (Utilitarianism) Assignment

[Note: I've posted this late, so you have until W 03 Feb (classtime) to complete the essay and response to another student's essay. Note that entries shorter than 250 words (essay) or 100 words (response) will lose points. - Professor Pat]
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• Discussion Blog: 1^st 3 students, explain how the principles of utilitarianism often guide your decisions; 2^nd 3 students, how does Mill account for those who lose their youthful enthusiasm, noble character, and interest in “higher faculties” as they get older?; and last 4 or so students, how and why does Mill distinguish between our intentions and the consequences of our actions?

Unit 2 (Gert) Assignment

• Discussion Blog questions: 
• 1^st 3 students, According to Gert, why are the Golden Rule and/or Ten Commandments a poor basis for morality?”; 
• 2^nd 3 students, “How do moral goods and moral evils differ from other kinds of goods and evils?”; and 
• last 4 or so students, “What is the rational basis for Gert's ten moral rules?”

Unit 1 Assignment

Discussion Blog (Assignment): Socrates was a moral hero, a brave man of great virtue, and a mentor to Plato and other young men. Describe someone who has played a similar role in your life. Give a particular example of their moral courage. 

• 250 words in your initial post
• 100 word response to a fellow student
• Due Wednesday 20 January 

Hi folks, and welcome to Professor Pat's section of PHL 325, Professional Ethics, for Spring 2016.

You will find the various readings and other support materials in the Course Documents area to the right of this field. 

We'll use this space for the weekly Blog Discussions. I'll post a question in this field, and then you will use the "Reply" feature to post your essay.

Thank you,  I look forward to the semester.

Professor Pat