Ethics Course Exam Questions

Lakeland College Shinjuku

Ethics 212-1 First Test

Answer any TWO questions, ONLY ONE from each section. Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes.

Section 1.

Either

Question 1a). What is Kant’s Universalizability Test? Which of the criticisms to the test do you think is most serious, and why?

OR

Question 1b). Discuss one counter- example to Kant’s claim that the Motive of Duty is necessary and sufficient to be a good person.

Section 2.

Either

Question 2a). What is Act Utilitarianism? Which of the criticisms of Act Utilitarianism is most serious, and why? How would a Utilitarian respond?

OR

Question 2b). Discuss three differences between Utilitarianism and Kant’s Deontology

Section 3.

Either

Question 3a). What is the Argument from Tolerance? And what is its most serious objection?

OR

Question 3b). What is the Cultural Differences Argument? And what is its most serious objection?

Section 4.

Either

Question 4a). What is Social Contract theory? And why is the Social Contract necessary, according to Hobbes? What is the most serious objection to the theory?

OR

Question 4b). What is the difference between Kant’s conception of human nature, and that of Hobbes? And what, for both thinkers, is the relationship between reason and morality? Who has the more plausible view?

Lakeland College Shinjuku

Ethics 212-1 Second Test

Answer any TWO questions, ONLY ONE from each section. Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes.

Section 1. Virtue Ethics

Either

Question 1a). What is Aristotle’s conception of Virtue? And what is the connection with virtue, and the Good Life, for Aristotle?

OR

Question 1b). Critically discuss the shortcomings of Virtue Ethics. How would a virtue ethicist respond?

Section 2. Nietzsche and Slave Morality

Either

Question 2a). What is the Genealogy of Morals, and how does it fit with Nietzsche’s criticism of Jewish/ Christian morality, including Kant and Utilitarianism? Are his arguments sound?

OR

Question 2b). What are the implications of accepting Nietzsche’s ethics?

Section 3. Euthanasia and Physician Assisted Suicide

Either

Question 3a). What is the difference between passive and active euthanasia? Why is it considered a morally relevant distinction in Japan and the USA? Is this a morally relevant distinction?

OR

Question 3b). Give a critical discussion of AT LEAST TWO objections to the legalization of euthanasia.

Section 4. Punishment and the Death Penalty

Either

Question 4a). Give a critical discussion of AT LEAST TWO objections to the death penalty.

OR

Question 4b). Should Japan abandon the death penalty?

Section 5. The Non- Medical Use of Drugs

Either

Question 5a). What do the terms paternalism and autonomy mean, and how are they relevant to the “War on Drugs”?

OR

Question 5b). Should tobacco be banned in Japan? Critically discuss at least TWO objections.

Section 6. Race and Racism

Either

Question 6a). What does Kant say about Africans? Are his views incompatible with his theory of human nature and ethics, or incompatible? Does your answer undermine your estimation of Kant’s philosophy?

OR

Question 6b). What is the difference between ‘extrinsic’ (empirical) and ‘intrinsic’ (racism