HU2700: Study Questions for Third Exam—Fall 2004
I. Define, Explain, Describe, Identify
act utilitarianism
basic goods
Bentham, Jeremy
categorical imperative
consequentialist theory
of obligation
cultural relativism
divine command theory
double effect, principle of
end-in-itself
ethical absolutism
ethical egoism
ethical relativism
ethical subjectivism
Eudaemonism
Finnis, John
good will
hedonism
instrumental value
intrinsic value
Kant, Immanuel
law of human nature
maxim
Mill, John Stuart
natural law theory
nonconsequentialist theory
of obligation
pluralism
principle of equality (Singer)
rule utilitarianism
sentience
Singer, Peter
speciesism
theory of intrinsic value
theory of moral obligation
universal law
II. Concepts, Principles, Theories
1. Compare and contrast cultural relativism and ethical relativism. Could one
consistently believe both cultural relativism and ethical absolutism? Explain.
2. What are the main arguments for and against ethical absolutism? What are the
main arguments for and against ethical relativism? What are the main arguments
for and against ethical subjectivism?
3. Explain the difference between act utilitarianism and rule utilitarianism. Under
what circumstances would an action be morally right according to an act
utilitarian theory but morally wrong according to a rule utilitarian theory, and vice
versa? What are the main arguments for and against each kind of theory?
4. What does the term “intrinsic value” mean? What is the difference between
intrinsic value and instrumental value? Name and describe three theories of
intrinsic value.
5. What is the (Scriptural) divine command theory of obligation? What are the main
arguments for and against that theory?
6. What is the principle of double effect? What ethical theory does it play a role in?
What role does it play in that theory?
7. What are the main differences between the two formulations of Kant’s categorical
imperative? Does Kant believe that the two formulations produce the same results
when applied to specific ethical decisions? What does Kant mean by “maxim,”
“universal law,” “treating someone merely as a means,” and “treating someone as
an end (in itself)”? What are the main objections to Kant’s theory of obligation?
8. What does Peter Singer conclude about our (citizens of industrialized countries)
moral obligations to alleviate poverty and suffering in the Third World? What
does he conclude about our moral obligations to animals? What principles does he
base his conclusions on?