PHIL 230 Final Study Questions
Explain the difference between justice based and consequentialist arguments for the death
penalty
Explain the retributivist principle Reiman discusses. Why does he think that this principle
does not require that we institute the death penalty? Give one of the examples he uses to
support his position.
Explain Singer’s “basic argument” for the claim that we are morally obliged to give a
large percentage of our income to prevent absolute poverty.
What is the distinction Singer draws between absolute and relative poverty?
Explain property rights objection to Singer’s argument. How does Singer reply to it?
Explain the “ethics of triage” objection to Singer’s argument. How does Singer respond
to it?
Explain the two different sorts of pacificism distinguished by Lackey
How does Lackey argue that the sanctity of life does not really support “personal
pacifism”
Lackey believes that civilian deaths in war are morally indistinguishable from murder.
Why does he think this?
How might someone use the examples of vaccinations and the interstate highway system
to counter Lackey’s claim that civilian deaths in war are always impermissible.