Briefly explain the theory of utilitarianism, along with two of the strongest objections often posed against it.

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1. Briefly explain the theory of utilitarianism, along with two of the strongest objections often posed against it.

2. Briefly explain the theory of ethical egoism, along with two of the strongest objections often posed against it.

3. Briefly explain Kant’s ethical theory, including how one uses both version of the Categorical Imperative in order to derive one’s moral duty.

4. Briefly explain Hobbes’s approach to justice, including what a ‘state of nature’ is supposed to be, and what Hobbes thinks will take us out of that state of nature.

5. Briefly explain Aristotle’s virtue ethics, including how “habit” and political discourse are fundamental to the Good Life.

6. What is determinism, and what are a few things about life that seem to indicate that perhaps determinism is true in some regards?

 

Explain why civilians ought not to be targeted? What is it about combatants that makes them appropriate targets in war.

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Explain why civilians ought not to be targeted? What is it about combatants that makes them appropriate targets in war.

Class is about En Bello rules so obviously that has to be apart of the paper

The proposal should AT LEAST have ALL of the following elements:

1. What is the MAIN QUESTION you are asking in your paper?
2. What is (to the extent you know this before you start writing) YOUR CONCLUSION?
3. What are your main REASONS for believing (or having the intuition) that your conclusion is correct?
4. What literature do you plan on reading or in which AREA/THEME/PART of the ARGUMENT do you need help finding further literature? (look at literature yourself first!)
5. Can you think of any OBJECTIONS to your ARGUMENT?

What is the conception of substance crucial to modern philosophers? Explain the different theories of substance in Descartes, Spinoza and Leibniz.

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1. Explain the core beliefs of rationalism and empiricism, two major intellectual camps in Modern philosophy.

2. What is the conception of substance crucial to modern philosophers? Explain the different theories of substance in Descartes, Spinoza and Leibniz.

3. Analyze Spinoza’s and Leibniz’s treatment of freedom in light of the idea of mechanical determinism. Present their arguments and critically assess them.

4. Explain Locke’s representational realism and Berkeley’s idealism. Berkeley thinks his idealism is closer to common sense and a better defense against skepticism than Locke’s theory. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?

5. Is it possible to infer that there is a supreme deity behind the universe as its cause? Discuss two or more modern philosopher’s notions of God and critically assess them.

6. Explain what Descartes, Locke and Hume have to say about our knowledge of ourselves. Compare their theories of the nature of personal identity, and evaluate them.

Explain the difference between knowledge and opinion for Socrates as illustrated in the Meno and the Republic.

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What is Wisdom?

In a 3-4 page essay, address/discuss the following:

* Define “dialectic” and discuss how Socratic dialogue differs from other conversations.

* Illustrate your understanding with examples of some specific beliefs one might examine via the Socratic Method.

* Explain the difference between knowledge and opinion for Socrates as illustrated in the Meno and the Republic.

* Explore your own response to the question of whether human beings can ever know the truth for certain. Can we ever achieve perfect wisdom about the kinds of ideas philosophers explore? Why or why not?

Explain what Nietzsche takes to be the basis of social rules and morality.

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Nietzsche explores the idea of Bad Conscience and sees it as limiting our power. Specifically, he connects the idea to promise-keeping and promise-breaking, to punishment, and to cultural institutions. Write an essay in which you:
1. Explain what Nietzsche takes to be the basis of social rules and morality.
2. Construct and defend an interpretation of the text that connects Bad Conscience to
Ressentiment, showing the relation between them.
3. Explain what Nietzsche refers to as the Bad Conscience, and how it relates to power in
the individual case and in the case of a morality based on Bad Conscience. (What kind of
morality would this be, a morality based on Bad Conscience?)
4. Do you agree with Nietzsche’s claims about a morality based on bad conscience
(specifically regarding the drawbacks of such a system)? Explain what you think the view gets right, and what it gets wrong. Include an argument in favor of your own position, or against Nietzsche’s.

Discuss the differences between your life and the life of others with regard to prejudice.

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1st video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebPoSMULI5U&t=75s (Links to an external site.)

2nd video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKHSJHkPeLY (Links to an external site.)

  1. Discuss any notable instances of prejudice you have experienced. Or, if you have not, discuss instances others you know have experienced. Or, if you don’t know anyone who has experienced prejudice – discuss how it’s possible you’ve gone through life without this occurring to yourself or anyone you know when it has been occurring to others for hundreds of years (this last one is essentially – discuss your privilege).
  2. Discuss the differences between your life and the life of others with regard to prejudice. (Essentially, if you’ve experienced it how is that different from those who have not and vice versa)
  1. Consider that the first video was from 1992  – which was 28 years ago. Then consider George Floyd’s death and the many, many other deaths of black individuals due to racism in this country in just this year alone.
  1. Discuss your thoughts on how far we have not come in the battle to end prejudice against minority populations such as individuals of color, transgender people, or homosexuals.
  2. Discuss why you think we continue to struggle with this issue in our society, using information we discussed in the lecture where appropriate.
  1. In the first video, at 28:58, a white male speaks about white male privilege and later, says that white male privilege happened for a reason. Jane asserts that male privilege exists because men have the physical strength to be in power. The man speaking referenced God in an earlier part of the video so I anticipate he was going to say that God made men stronger for a reason and thus, it is his plan for men to be in power (and even if this wasn’t what he was going to say, it is a frequent argument). Think on this and how your own gender has impacted your opportunities in life.
  1. Discuss the impact of white male privilege on our society and the impact on your life up to this point. It is possible while male privilege has benefitted you or harmed you, there’s no right or wrong direction to go here.
  2. Discuss how your life might be different if you were afforded the same opportunities as white males in this country. Or, if you are a white male – discuss how your life might be different if you were not afforded the opportunities you have had.
  1. Near the end of the first video, several women bring up Jane’s communication style as being “hostile” and something they were uncomfortable with. Jane provides an explanation, saying that if you have to constantly defend and justify your actions, you begin to express yourself in such a way. Consider that what is being said is this – “you must present yourself differently in order for me to be comfortable with what you are saying”. This is another form of prejudice – “you must be how I prefer, or I will not be ok”.
  1. Do we have permission to force other people to behave in ways that make us comfortable? Explain your thoughts.
  2. What does it feel like to consider that you have minimal control over the actions of others, and, at times, their choices may not feel good to you?
  1. In the second video, the presenter, Dushaw Hockett, discussed implicit bias.
  1. What are some of your explicit attitudes with regard to race? Sexuality? Gender?
  2. What are some of your implicit attitudes with regard to race? Sexuality? Gender?
  3. In looking at your explicit and implicit biases, do you see them as harmful? Why or why not?
  1. Think through the results of the IAT test. Consider the assessment answer and the meaning this holds for you in your life.
  1. How did you feel going into the assessment? Were you confident that you had no biases, or did you believe that maybe you did?
  2. What was it like for you when you received the results? Did it confirm or refute your initial belief about how you would score?
  3. Do you agree with the results of the assessment? Why or why not?
  1. Now that you have thought through the impact of prejudice on individuals in this country as well as your own biases – either as the result of this assignment or due to having been doing anti-prejudice work as an educated ally for many years or months prior….
  2. Where did your earliest attitudes about prejudice come from?
  3. How have your attitudes and beliefs changed over time? What are some things you have learned and when did you begin addressing your attitudes and biases?
  4. How can you best support others who are experiencing prejudice (even if you disagree with the impact such prejudice has on their lives)?
  5. What is one change you can make THIS WEEK that will support an end to prejudice in our country and what is your plan of action to accomplish this task?
  6. What is one change you can make THIS WEEK to begin challenging your own biases and what is your plan of action to accomplish this task?

In a short essay of about three pages, apply virtue ethics to a real situation.

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In a short essay of about three pages, apply virtue ethics to a real situation. You are strongly encouraged to use one of the ethical dilemmas you submitted at the beginning of the semester, as that will turn this assignment into a partial draft of your final paper. If you’re not sure how to write an application essay, please see these instructions. Remember that the objection should be written with an eye to the final and not merely a summarization of someone else’s objection to the theory in general. Here are some common objections that are not very good.

You may wish to remind yourself of the required format.
Remember to avoid writing “I feel” unless you mean it.
Don’t forget to use citations but avoid quotations.
Common mechanical errors.
Don’t forget that you will receive feedback. Remember that you cannot see the annotations on a phone. You must use a computer.

Provide critical analysis of the challenges related to the selected issue in a wider global context using theories, tools and methods from this and other fields of study.

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Critical Analysis: Provide critical analysis of the challenges related to the selected issue in a wider global context using theories, tools and methods from this and other fields of study. Consider the political, social, environmental or economic factors contributing to the ethical issue. Consider other perspectives as well as your own. (3 pages)

Write a Reflective Essay about my position on philosophy of science.

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Write a Reflective Essay about my position on philosophy of science.