How much does personal developmental history effect one’s moral behavior, and can individuals overcome bad upbringing?

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How Much Should We Do for Our Fellow Man?
We are ruminating over, at least, three topics here:
1) How much does personal developmental history effect moral behavior?;
2) How much should we do for our fellow man ?

3) When we support weakness and the unfortunate, do we then make people weak
(Give a man a fish, he eats for a day; teach a man to fish, he eats for life.)?

First, read attached “Shame”, by Dick Gregory.
Then, write a researched-supported paper  (at least two sources), MLA-styled,  1,000-2,500 word essay, using at least two quotes from sources for support on the one of these inquiries (beware reliance on personal anecdotes) —
INQUIRY: WRITE ON ONE OF THESE TOPICS, being clear on which you are doing in your abstract:

1) How much does personal developmental history effect one’s moral behavior, and can individuals overcome bad upbringing?

2) How much should we do for our fellow man? Consider local charity and government welfare.

3) When we support weakness and the unfortunate, do we then make people weak? How do people become strong and resilient?

Describe the activity or artifact you have found, and give a link to it if it’s on the web.

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Find something out in the world beyond the course that you think counts as an example of philosophical content, or thinking, or a philosophical activity.
There are many different options for this assignment, from novels to films to video games to TV shows to everyday activities. It’s up to you what you want to pick to talk about.

Describe the activity or artifact you have found, and give a link to it if it’s on the web.

Do so by first defining what philosophy means to you, and referring to at least one philosopher we have discussed in class to show how this definition fits what they do.

Give details about what the philosopher says or does to support your claim that this definition fits with their work, referring to specific things in the texts where relevant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Explain either the example of the wine taster or the symphony conductor. Explain what these examples are meant to demonstrate.

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Make sure your answers are detailed and well-supported. If a question has more than 1 part, make sure you answer every part. Explain using your own words and own examples. Discuss answers with your group, esp. concerning #11.

What are qualia? Explain using an example.

Explain what Jackson’s examples of Fred and Mary and Nagel’s example of the bat are meant to demonstrate.

Explain why Jackson and Nagel think that mental states cannot be reduced to physical states. (Use your own example to illustrate.)

What is folk psychology? Use an example to illustrate.

What is inter-theorectic reduction? (Use an example to illustrate.)

What does Church land hope to reduce with inter-theorectic reduction? What does he want to replace it with? Explain why he thinks this is possible.

Explain either the example of the wine taster or the symphony conductor. Explain what these examples are meant to demonstrate.

Briefly explain the core moral ideal or principle of the theory and how that could be the basis of an objection to your argument.

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Use of torture on terror subjects
In this section of the paper, you will present the strongest objection you can to your argument, and briefly defend that objection by appealing to a different ethical theory than the one you focused on in .

Briefly explain the core moral ideal or principle of the theory and how that could be the basis of an objection to your argument.

For instance, if you explained and defended your own argument by applying the principles of virtue ethics, you could raise an objection from the perspective of utilitarianism by briefly explaining the core utilitarian principle and how applying that principle could lead someone to a different conclusion than the one you are defending.
Next, you should respond to the objection by explaining why it is not strong enough to undermine the main argument in defense of your position.

What are the legal issues (if you are unsure about the legal issues, please be honest)–are these any different from the ethical issues?

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Ethics

Case Studies in Readings and Lecture. 

The Research Director. Put yourself in the position of manager or executive who will have to make a decision in this case, and respond to the following questions:

What are the ethical issues in this case?

What are the legal issues (if you are unsure about the legal issues, please be honest)–are these any different from the ethical issues?

What are the economic issues in this case?

Are there any factual considerations that would help evaluate the severity of the ethical offense in this case?

Finally, let us assume that if this project (designs and building of prototype) is not completed the company would have to go out of business. What would you do in this case and why?

Do you agree with Aristotle’s explanation of how we develop virtues? Explain.

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Aristotle’s Virtues

Do you agree with Aristotle’s explanation of how we develop virtues? Explain.

Discuss the life, work, and beliefs of Anaximenes, focusing on his contributions in the era of the Pre-Socratics?

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Discuss the life, work, and beliefs of Anaximenes, focusing on his contributions in the era of the Pre-Socratics?

Do you think hedonism presents a good moral foundation from which to make good ethical decisions in society? Why or why not?

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Compare and contrast the foundational principles of egoism and hedonism.

2a. How are the similar and how are they different?

2b. Do you think hedonism presents a good moral foundation from which to make good ethical decisions in society? Why or why not?

Determine the characteristics that make this an evolutionary step in our study of virtue ethics, rather than a complete departure from the original ethical theories of the founders.

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Many people misconstrue Epicurus’ theory of egoism as a glutinous bacchanalian departure from its virtue ethics predecessors.

1a. Explain why Epicurus argued that virtues were still necessary to control one’s pleasure and desires under his theories.

1b. Determine the characteristics that make this an evolutionary step in our study of virtue ethics, rather than a complete departure from the original ethical theories of the founders.

Does social contract theory provide a motivation to be moral?

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Consider the following question:

Does social contract theory provide a motivation to be moral?

Consider the prisoner’s dilemma case as an objection to the claim that it does. Either produce a satisfactory response to the objection, or argue that there cannot be one.