Explain Cora Diamond’s idea of the “imaginative sense of humanity,” and why she thinks it establishes a distinctive moral worth for all human beings. Then consider: Do you agree that the imaginative sense of humanity gives us a special moral worth? Why or why not? If you do agree, do you think this is a strong enough basis for human moral equality?

Philosophy reflection paper

Instructions:

Choose only one prompt to write on. Reflection papers should be between 1.5-2 pages (double spaced, 12-point font). The first half should explain the theories, arguments, and/or concepts mentioned in the prompt; the second half should be your own reflection on the questions posed after “then consider”.

Prompt 1:

Explain Cora Diamond’s idea of the “imaginative sense of humanity,” and why she thinks it establishes a distinctive moral worth for all human beings. Then consider: Do you agree that the imaginative sense of humanity gives us a special moral worth? Why or why not? If you do agree, do you think this is a strong enough basis for human moral equality?

Prompt 2:

Explain Jeremy Waldron’s claim that moral worth and dignity should be applied to whole lives, not just time slices of lives, and why he thinks this helps support human moral equality. Then consider: Do you agree with Waldron that moral worth and dignity should be applied to whole lives, not just time slices? Why or why not? If you do agree, do you also agree that this supports human moral equality?

Prompt 3:

Explain either Jeremy Waldron’s or Christine Korsgaard’s account of how characteristically human capacities (such as rationality) are essential to all human beings, and how this supports the equal moral worth of severely disabled human beings. Then consider: Do you agree with this account? Why or why not? If you do agree, do you also agree that it shows why severely disabled human beings have moral worth equal to that of normally-abled human beings?