Final test Fall 2007

Lakeland College Wisconsin

Ethics 212- 2 FINAL EXAM



Answer any TWO questions, ONLY ONE from each section. Time allowed: 2 hours





Section 1. Egoism

Either

Question 1a). What is Stirner’s argument against morality? What is the most serious objection to his philosophy, and why?



OR



Question 1b). Critically discuss Ayn Rand’s “Philosophy of Objectivism.”





Section 2. The Kyoto School

Either

Question 2a).

What, for Watsuji Tetsurô, is ethics? How does his conception of ethics compare with that of Western ethical thought? Are these differences strengths or shortcomings for Watsuji’s thought?



OR

Question 2b).

What does Watsuji Tetsuro mean when he says that individuals do not exist? What is the relevance of this idea to his ethics, and what are his arguments for this claim? Critically discuss.













Section 3. Hume



Either

3). Why does Hume say that reason is “slave of the passions”? What are his arguments for this claim? And what are the implications of this theory for ethical thought?



4). What is Hume’s Virtue Ethics? And what is Hume’s criteria for deciding whether a character trait is a virtue? Critically discuss the merits of this theory.



Section 4. The Death Penalty



Either

4a). Give a critical discussion of at least TWO objections to the death penalty



OR



4b). Should Japan abandon the death penalty?



Section 5. Euthanasia

Either

Question 5a). What is the difference between passive and active euthanasia? Why is it considered a morally relevant distinction in the USA? is this a morally relevant distinction?



OR



Question 5b). Give a critical discussion of at least TWO objections to the legalization of euthanasia.