SAN DIEGO MESA COLLEGE
PHIL 102B
SPRING 2013
INSTRUCTOR: PROF. NINA ROSENSTAND
INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY: VALUES
STUDY GUIDE, 2nd MIDTERM
Tentative test dates: MW Apr.22, TTh Apr.18 and Th/R Apr.25
Prof. Rosenstand’s office: MV2404
Office hours: MTWTh 11:15-12:30 and by appointment
Messages to Prof. Rosenstand: (619) 388-2407
E-mail: nrosenst@sdccd.edu (e-mails will be answered during Prof. Rosenstand’s office hours.)
Website: http://classroom.sdmesa.edu/nrosenst
STAY INFORMED ABOUT POSSIBLE CHANGES TO THE READINGS AND TEST DATES. CHANGES, IF ANY, WILL BE
POSTED ON THE WEBSITE.
Consult the website slide show for advice on taking essay tests!
FORMAT OF 2ND MIDTERM:
There will be two essay topics, each a combination of two of the questions below. Choose one of the topics (= one
of the sets of questions). Min. 2 1/2 pages in a small blue book, max. 5 pages. Max. 100 points. PLEASE WRITE THE
NUMBER OF THE TOPIC YOU HAVE CHOSEN ON THE COVER OF YOUR BLUE BOOK. PLEASE WRITE ON ONLY 1 SIDE OF THE PAGE. DO NOT SKIP
LINES. NO PENCILS, NO RED OR GREEN PENS. IF YOU USE A PENCIL YOU WILL LOSE 2 POINTS.
PLAGIARISM POLICY: USING UNAUTHORIZED BOOKS, NOTES OR ELECTRONIC DEVICES, OR CONSULTING WITH OTHER STUDENTS, WILL RESULT
IN AN F ON THE TEST, AND WILL BE REPORTED.
POSSIBLE QUESTIONS FOR ESSAY TEST
The questions you’ll see on the test will be similar to these, if not completely identical. Some related questions
may be combined. Questions about your own opinion may be added.
Rosenstand, The Moral of the Story 7TH edition
Ch.3, “Ethical Relativism” pp.141-145, Narrative: Avatar 168-170
1.
Explain Rachels’s theory of the three universal values.
2.
How does Rachels’s theory defeat ethical relativism, in his view? Is he right? Why or why not?
3.
Give a brief description of the plot of Avatar. Is this in your view a story supporting ethical relativism, soft
universalism, or hard universalism? Explain.
Ch.4, “Myself or Others?” 171-209
Primary Readings: Plato pp.210-213, Rand pp.215-217
Narratives: Friends episode. (“The One Where Phoebe Hates PBS”) 220-222
1.
Define psychological egoism and ethical egoism, with examples. What is the difference between the two
theories?
2.
Define psychological egoism, and give an example of the theory.
3.
Tell the story of the Ring of Gyges; how does Glaucon use it as a theory of human nature?
4.
What do Glaucon’s and Hobbes’s arguments concerning human selfishness have in common? Be specific.
5.
Explain the three reasons for the modern popularity of psychological egoism.
6.
Explain one of the three shortcomings of psychological egoism, with an example.
7.
Why is saying that “Falsification is not possible” a criticism of psychological egoism? Explain.
8.
Explain and comment on the story of Abraham Lincoln and the pigs; was Lincoln speaking as a
psychological or an ethical egoist? Explain.
9.
Explain the fallacy of the suppressed correlative and its relevance for a critique of psychological egoism
10. Explain the theory of the Selfish Gene. What is Richard Dawkins’ point, and how does Mary Midgley
respond? Who is more correct, in your view?
11. Comment on the Friends episode: Describe the debate between Joey and Phoebe; how does Phoebe
attempt to prove Joey wrong? Who wins the debate, and why? Who is right, in your view?
12. Identify the theory of ethical egoism. What does ethical egoism have to do with the Golden Rule?
13. Explain Ayn Rand’s ethical egoism: What characterizes an altruist, and why should we be selfish? Is she
right, in your view? Why or why not?
14. Analyze one argument against ethical egoism. Do you agree? Why or why not?
15. How does Socrates argue against ethical egoism in Plato’s Republic? (Your answer should include a
reference to “the three parts of the soul”)
16. Define ideal (extreme) and reciprocal (moderate, limited) altruism. Your answer should include references
to the theories of Emmanuel Levinas and Peter Singer.
17. Explain and comment on Peter Singer’s example with the hunters and the saber tooth cat. What is
Singer’s point?
18. Explain David Hume’s theory of emotions in ethics. How can it be used as an argument against
psychological egoism? And how does this relate to Damasio’s neuroscientific findings?
19. Explain Frans de Waal’s support for the idea that animals can have morals. In your opinion, is he right that
animals can have morals? Why or why not?
20. Comment on the Friends episode: Describe the debate between Joey and Phoebe; how does Phoebe
attempt to prove Joey wrong? Who wins the debate, and why? Who is right, in your view?
Tentative: TMTS Ch.5, “Using Your Reason, Part 1: Utilitarianism.” To p.247 + Primary Reading: Singer
pp268-270. Narrative: The Invention of Lying pp278-281
21. Define Bentham's principle of utility, with an example. (Be specific.)
22. Define the hedonistic calculus, identify the author, and illustrate the use of the calculus with an example.
Explain an advantage and a problem with the calculus.
23. Explain the "problem of sheer numbers” and illustrate it with an example. Why is this an argument against
Bentham’s utilitarianism?
24. What was Descartes’ opinion about animal minds and animal suffering? Was he right, in your view? Why
or why not?
25. Explain Peter Singer’s point of view in the Ashley case, and identify the utilitarian elements. Do you agree
with him? Why or why not?
26. How does the film The Invention of Lying illustrate utilitarianism? (Focus on Mark’s lie to his mother, and
to the media). In your view, is it ever okay to lie? Why or why not?
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
1. PSYCHOLOGICAL EGOISM: answer both parts of this topic in the proper order.
 Explain and comment on the story of Abraham Lincoln and the pigs; was Lincoln speaking as a
psychological or an ethical egoist? Explain both types.
 Comment on the Friends episode: Describe the debate between Joey and Phoebe; how does Phoebe
attempt to prove Joey wrong? Who wins the debate, and why? Who is right, in your view?
—OR—
2. ALTRUISM: answer both parts of this topic in the proper order.
 Define ideal (extreme) and limited (moderate, reciprocal) altruism. Your answer should include
references to the theories of Emmanuel Levinas and Peter Singer.
 Explain and comment on Singer’s example with the hunters and the saber tooth cat. What is Singer’s
point?