This document discusses a hypothetical scenario involving an orphan child and a sick child in need of an organ transplant. It suggests that according to Peter Singer's preference utilitarianism, it would be morally acceptable to take a healthy organ from the orphan child, killing them, in order to transplant it to the sick child and satisfy the greater number of preferences between the sick child and their large family. The document argues that Singer's view seems to treat persons as mere preference/utility holders, replaceable as long as preferences are maximized.
Here are the key points about Jean Grimshaw's view of a female ethic from the discussion:
- Grimshaw discusses feminist philosophers like Wolstonecraft, Gilligan, Noddings, and Ruddick who argue that traditional male-centered ethical theories do not fully capture women's moral reasoning and priorities.
- Gilligan argued that portrayals of women's moral reasoning as deficient are wrong, and that women tend to reason differently than men about moral issues, emphasizing care and responsibility to others.
- Noddings argues a morality based on rules and principles is inadequate and fails to capture the female approach centered on caring.
- Ruddick suggests the experience of mothering generates virtues like care,
Food ethics paul pojman towson university ~., wajasmin849794
This document summarizes Tom Regan's radical egalitarian view in support of animal rights. Regan rejects more moderate positions and calls for the total abolition of animal use in science, farming, and hunting. The fundamental wrong is viewing animals as resources for human ends. Regan argues against indirect duty views, which claim humans only have duties regarding animals, not to them directly. He asserts that all sentient beings have intrinsic worth that grounds equal rights.
This document discusses different theories for how altruistic behavior evolved in animals despite natural selection favoring selfish behavior. It describes theories of group selection, kin selection, and reciprocal altruism. Group selection proposes that groups with more altruistic members are more likely to survive. Kin selection explains that animals help relatives to increase indirect fitness. Reciprocal altruism occurs when organisms help each other with the expectation of future help in return. The document analyzes these theories in terms of evolutionary biology to explain the prevalence of altruism in animal societies.
Altruism refers to helping behavior where an individual acts to benefit another at a cost to itself. There are two main theories for the evolution of altruism: kin selection and reciprocal altruism. Kin selection proposes that altruism evolves because individuals help relatives who share their genes, increasing their inclusive fitness. Reciprocal altruism suggests altruism can evolve in non-relatives if helping is reciprocated to provide future benefits. Examples of altruism in animals include vampire bats sharing blood and ground squirrels warning of predators.
The document discusses concerns with using scientific methods to resolve ethical disagreements, as ethics seems intangible whereas science involves testable phenomena. It questions how one could quantify the value of life or rightness of actions. The author is unsure how an objective ethical truth could be measured or tested as Stevenson suggests.
Jeremy Bentham developed Act Utilitarianism, which judges the morality of individual acts based on their consequences and ability to maximize happiness as calculated by his hedonic calculus. John Stuart Mill modified this approach with Rule Utilitarianism, which judges acts based on whether they conform to rules that maximize overall happiness if universally followed. A key difference is that Rule Utilitarianism prohibits acts like torture that maximize happiness in isolated cases but undermine the social rules required for general well-being.
1 forthcoming in colin marshall (ed.), comparative metaetjasmin849794
This document summarizes Anne Conway's metaethical view that moral facts are primarily evaluative facts about states of being rather than deontic facts about actions. It discusses how Conway addresses the issue of species-independent facts about what states are good or bad, by rejecting essentialism about species membership. This allows her to claim that species-independent facts about an individual's good can be grounded in that individual's nature. The document provides background on Conway's life and her Platonic-influenced metaphysical system, which sees God as a spiritual substance intimately connected to but distinct from creation.
1. René Girard's work analyzes human behavior through an anthropological lens, focusing on how imitation, rivalry, violence and scapegoating have shaped culture and religion throughout history.
2. His insights include how mimetic desire leads to rivalry between individuals, which then risks escalating into violence within societies. Ritual sacrifice of scapegoats served to diffuse tensions by uniting groups against a common victim.
3. Religion and culture more broadly developed through prohibitions against violence and rituals like sacrifice that helped maintain social order. The Hebrew scriptures and teachings of Jesus challenged these systems by revealing the innocence of victims and promoting non-violence over sacrifice and retribution.
Here are the key points about Jean Grimshaw's view of a female ethic from the discussion:
- Grimshaw discusses feminist philosophers like Wolstonecraft, Gilligan, Noddings, and Ruddick who argue that traditional male-centered ethical theories do not fully capture women's moral reasoning and priorities.
- Gilligan argued that portrayals of women's moral reasoning as deficient are wrong, and that women tend to reason differently than men about moral issues, emphasizing care and responsibility to others.
- Noddings argues a morality based on rules and principles is inadequate and fails to capture the female approach centered on caring.
- Ruddick suggests the experience of mothering generates virtues like care,
Food ethics paul pojman towson university ~., wajasmin849794
This document summarizes Tom Regan's radical egalitarian view in support of animal rights. Regan rejects more moderate positions and calls for the total abolition of animal use in science, farming, and hunting. The fundamental wrong is viewing animals as resources for human ends. Regan argues against indirect duty views, which claim humans only have duties regarding animals, not to them directly. He asserts that all sentient beings have intrinsic worth that grounds equal rights.
This document discusses different theories for how altruistic behavior evolved in animals despite natural selection favoring selfish behavior. It describes theories of group selection, kin selection, and reciprocal altruism. Group selection proposes that groups with more altruistic members are more likely to survive. Kin selection explains that animals help relatives to increase indirect fitness. Reciprocal altruism occurs when organisms help each other with the expectation of future help in return. The document analyzes these theories in terms of evolutionary biology to explain the prevalence of altruism in animal societies.
Altruism refers to helping behavior where an individual acts to benefit another at a cost to itself. There are two main theories for the evolution of altruism: kin selection and reciprocal altruism. Kin selection proposes that altruism evolves because individuals help relatives who share their genes, increasing their inclusive fitness. Reciprocal altruism suggests altruism can evolve in non-relatives if helping is reciprocated to provide future benefits. Examples of altruism in animals include vampire bats sharing blood and ground squirrels warning of predators.
The document discusses concerns with using scientific methods to resolve ethical disagreements, as ethics seems intangible whereas science involves testable phenomena. It questions how one could quantify the value of life or rightness of actions. The author is unsure how an objective ethical truth could be measured or tested as Stevenson suggests.
Jeremy Bentham developed Act Utilitarianism, which judges the morality of individual acts based on their consequences and ability to maximize happiness as calculated by his hedonic calculus. John Stuart Mill modified this approach with Rule Utilitarianism, which judges acts based on whether they conform to rules that maximize overall happiness if universally followed. A key difference is that Rule Utilitarianism prohibits acts like torture that maximize happiness in isolated cases but undermine the social rules required for general well-being.
1 forthcoming in colin marshall (ed.), comparative metaetjasmin849794
This document summarizes Anne Conway's metaethical view that moral facts are primarily evaluative facts about states of being rather than deontic facts about actions. It discusses how Conway addresses the issue of species-independent facts about what states are good or bad, by rejecting essentialism about species membership. This allows her to claim that species-independent facts about an individual's good can be grounded in that individual's nature. The document provides background on Conway's life and her Platonic-influenced metaphysical system, which sees God as a spiritual substance intimately connected to but distinct from creation.
1. René Girard's work analyzes human behavior through an anthropological lens, focusing on how imitation, rivalry, violence and scapegoating have shaped culture and religion throughout history.
2. His insights include how mimetic desire leads to rivalry between individuals, which then risks escalating into violence within societies. Ritual sacrifice of scapegoats served to diffuse tensions by uniting groups against a common victim.
3. Religion and culture more broadly developed through prohibitions against violence and rituals like sacrifice that helped maintain social order. The Hebrew scriptures and teachings of Jesus challenged these systems by revealing the innocence of victims and promoting non-violence over sacrifice and retribution.
This document provides information to help students adjust to academics at Illinois State University. It discusses free services from the Julia N. Visor Center including tutoring, writing assistance, and workshops on topics like time management, study skills, and stress management. It also recommends getting involved with student organizations on campus like the Women's Mentoring Network or ISU Veterans Association. If students face additional challenges adjusting, it directs them to Student Counseling Services for help.
The document discusses different approaches to legal reasoning and arguments against the use of theory. It favors the "embedded approach" which justifies legal claims by showing they are supported by principles that best justify broader legal practice. It also discusses criticisms of theory from judges like Posner and academics like Sunstein, arguing their anti-theory stances can lead to problems like superficial reasoning or paralysis of the legal process.
Here are the key points made in the passages:
Singer: Pacifists view the use of violence as absolutely wrong regardless of consequences. This assumes a distinction between acts (using violence) and omissions (not using violence).
Thomson: Introduces the violinist thought experiment where a person is hooked up to a famous unconscious violinist who will die if unplugged. The doctor says it's only for 9 months. Thomson asks if one is obligated to remain hooked up for that time against their will.
The passages present contrasting views on moral obligations and consequences. Singer questions an absolute prohibition on violence by pointing to consequences. Thomson uses a thought experiment to question if we have an obligation to aid
The document discusses different approaches to legal reasoning and justification. It presents RD's view that legal claims are best justified by theoretical principles (the "embedded approach"). This view allows for "justificatory ascent" to more general legal principles. It contrasts this with more practical approaches from theorists like Posner and Sunstein, arguing their anti-theoretical stances can yield problematic results like utilitarian absolutism or judicial paralysis. RD believes theoretical legal reasoning is necessary to avoid these issues and deal with complex cases.
Hobbes argues that in the state of nature, prior to the establishment of political authority, human beings exist in a condition of war - a "war of all against all". The three main causes of conflict and quarrel according to Hobbes are competition over scarce resources, diffidence or distrust of others' intentions, and the desire for glory or status. Hobbes believes this state of nature is intolerable, and that rational self-interested individuals would agree to establish sovereign political authority to impose order and make social cooperation possible.
Theoretical Perspectives In Student Learning Finalecvigne
This document provides an overview of several learning theories and their implications for working with students, including:
1. Behavioral learning theory focuses on conditioning and modeling good behaviors.
2. Cognitive developmental theory examines stages of intellectual growth and understanding differing perspectives.
3. Social interdependence theory promotes interaction and feedback between students.
4. Interpretive theory views learning as a way to overcome oppression and cultural silence.
The final exam for the course will take place on April 14th at 2:00pm in room CAB 281. The exam will last two hours and count for 20% of the student's final grade. Students should not use any books or notes during the exam. The exam will consist of two essay questions for each of the four sections covered in the course: political philosophy, jurisprudence, specific themes from the course textbook, and moral philosophy. The first question for each section will be general and the second will be more specific, requiring analysis of a particular chapter. Clarity of thought and expression as well as a strong grasp of Dworkin's work will be paramount.
Cahn presents a dichotomy between two views of the relationship between God and morality: (1) something is morally wrong because God says it is wrong, or (2) God says something is wrong because it is wrong independently of God. The student responds that this dichotomy could be false, as some argue morality flows from God's character. The student also questions Cahn's assumption that punishment is not necessary to mold character and motivate obedience to morality. More discussion is needed to fully address these points.
The document discusses several student questions about the works of Ronald Dworkin and how they relate to natural law theory and interpretivism. It suggests that the students may have topics for term papers in exploring these questions in more depth and comparing Dworkin's views to other philosophers like Hart. The responses recommend referring to specific sections of Dworkin's Taking Rights Seriously and other texts, and note the instructor will provide additional suggestions in class.
This document contains a discussion between a student and instructor about Peter Singer's work on ethics and morality. The student asks the instructor to clarify Singer's view on the relationship between reason and ethics, as the student failed to fully understand it. The student and instructor also discuss topics like promoting morality by appealing to self-interest, the justification of violence or coercion in certain cases, democracy, and the interests of sentient beings like trees.
This document summarizes services provided by the Julia N. Visor Academic Center to help students adjust to the academic challenges of college. It discusses how college classes differ from high school in workload, responsibility, and assessment. The Center offers workshops on study skills, time management, and other topics. It also provides free tutoring in specific courses and writing assistance to help students succeed. Students are encouraged to utilize these services early in the semester.
This document provides guidance on designing effective academic posters. It recommends focusing the poster on a clear message and essential elements like the title, authors, contact information, and graphics that support the main points. The document then discusses arranging these elements based on principles of flow and hierarchy. It suggests getting feedback on draft posters and provides examples and inspiration for creative design elements.
Read about this lecture here: http://wp.me/psIfS-2c
I gave a guest lecture at UNC SILS on Refworks. Along with the normal how-tos, I tried to talk about some frequently asked questions I get from patrons regarding Refworks.
A presentation meant to spur discussion about the issues surrounding consumer health information provision in public libraries. Presented in UNC SILS Seminar in Public Libraries (INLS 843).
The document discusses the importance and functions of research. It states that research corrects and expands perceptions by gathering new information on topics that are not well understood. Research also develops and evaluates concepts, practices, theories, and methods for testing these ideas. Additionally, research provides factual information to inform planning, decision-making, and evaluations for solving real-world problems related to issues like population growth, drug addiction, and crime. The document emphasizes that research is important for advancing human knowledge and improving life, and will continue to be relevant as long as people seek to expand their understanding of the world.
The student questions Singer's argument that there is no intrinsic difference between killing and letting die. While Singer argues the differences are merely extrinsic, the student believes the distinction should be drawn based on the contours of the self and one's autonomy over their own life. Abandoning one's family and projects against their will through forced killing is a meaningful intrinsic difference compared to letting die.
Here are the key points to focus on in preparing for the midterm:
- Understand how Singer's preference utilitarianism differs from other forms of utilitarianism like act and rule utilitarianism.
- Grasp how Singer argues for extending the principle of equal consideration of interests to non-human animals. His position rejects making moral distinctions based on subjective attributes like species membership.
- Comprehend how Singer analyzes interests and what constitutes having an interest according to his view. Having an interest is a value-neutral concept - it refers to any interest an individual can have in avoiding pain or developing their natural capacities.
- Be prepared to discuss objections to Singer's view, like the argument from marginal cases
Kant is arguing that the moral worth of an action lies not in its consequences or expected effects, but solely in the principle or motivation from which the action arises. For Kant, an action has moral worth only if it is done from duty to the moral law itself, not because of any external incentives or rewards. The good will and duty to the moral law are the sole determinants of morality, according to Kant.
This document summarizes Peter Singer's argument for sentientism from his essay "The Animal Liberation Movement". Singer argues that animals should have their interests equally considered because, like humans, they are sentient beings who can experience pain and suffering. He defines this view as sentientism. The document then outlines some potential criticisms of Singer's argument, such as its vagueness in defining which animals should be considered sentient. It also questions how suffering could be measured and how sentientism could be practically implemented without compromising human interests. In conclusion, the document argues that while preventing animal suffering is morally sound, sentientism may be unrealistic given today's societal dependencies on practices that cause animal pain.
Animal Rights
Animal Rights and Ethics Essay
Essay on Nonhuman Animal Rights
Essay on Animals Have Rights Too
Animal Rights And Human Rights
Essay On Animal Rights
Essay on Zoos and Animal Rights
Essay about Animal Rights
Essay on Animal Rights
Argumentative Essay On Animal Rights
Argument For Animal Rights
Essay on Animal Rights
Argumentative Essay On Animal Rights
Argumentative Essay On Animal Rights
Essay on Animals’ Rights?
My Views on Animal Rights
Argument for Animal Rights Essay
Animal Rights And Human Rights
Persuasive Speech On Animal Rights
Essay on ANIMAL RIGHTS
1. The document discusses the concepts of relative and absolute poverty. Relative poverty refers to poverty in industrialized nations where basic needs are met, while absolute poverty refers to extreme poverty in developing countries where basic needs are not met.
2. Singer argues that extreme poverty is a "moral equivalent of murder" because it leads to avoidable deaths, though others disagree due to differences in motivation, duties, outcomes, and identifiable victims and perpetrators.
3. Singer presents an argument that if we can prevent something bad without comparable cost, we ought to do it. He argues this means we have an obligation to prevent some absolute poverty. However, others object based on
This document provides information to help students adjust to academics at Illinois State University. It discusses free services from the Julia N. Visor Center including tutoring, writing assistance, and workshops on topics like time management, study skills, and stress management. It also recommends getting involved with student organizations on campus like the Women's Mentoring Network or ISU Veterans Association. If students face additional challenges adjusting, it directs them to Student Counseling Services for help.
The document discusses different approaches to legal reasoning and arguments against the use of theory. It favors the "embedded approach" which justifies legal claims by showing they are supported by principles that best justify broader legal practice. It also discusses criticisms of theory from judges like Posner and academics like Sunstein, arguing their anti-theory stances can lead to problems like superficial reasoning or paralysis of the legal process.
Here are the key points made in the passages:
Singer: Pacifists view the use of violence as absolutely wrong regardless of consequences. This assumes a distinction between acts (using violence) and omissions (not using violence).
Thomson: Introduces the violinist thought experiment where a person is hooked up to a famous unconscious violinist who will die if unplugged. The doctor says it's only for 9 months. Thomson asks if one is obligated to remain hooked up for that time against their will.
The passages present contrasting views on moral obligations and consequences. Singer questions an absolute prohibition on violence by pointing to consequences. Thomson uses a thought experiment to question if we have an obligation to aid
The document discusses different approaches to legal reasoning and justification. It presents RD's view that legal claims are best justified by theoretical principles (the "embedded approach"). This view allows for "justificatory ascent" to more general legal principles. It contrasts this with more practical approaches from theorists like Posner and Sunstein, arguing their anti-theoretical stances can yield problematic results like utilitarian absolutism or judicial paralysis. RD believes theoretical legal reasoning is necessary to avoid these issues and deal with complex cases.
Hobbes argues that in the state of nature, prior to the establishment of political authority, human beings exist in a condition of war - a "war of all against all". The three main causes of conflict and quarrel according to Hobbes are competition over scarce resources, diffidence or distrust of others' intentions, and the desire for glory or status. Hobbes believes this state of nature is intolerable, and that rational self-interested individuals would agree to establish sovereign political authority to impose order and make social cooperation possible.
Theoretical Perspectives In Student Learning Finalecvigne
This document provides an overview of several learning theories and their implications for working with students, including:
1. Behavioral learning theory focuses on conditioning and modeling good behaviors.
2. Cognitive developmental theory examines stages of intellectual growth and understanding differing perspectives.
3. Social interdependence theory promotes interaction and feedback between students.
4. Interpretive theory views learning as a way to overcome oppression and cultural silence.
The final exam for the course will take place on April 14th at 2:00pm in room CAB 281. The exam will last two hours and count for 20% of the student's final grade. Students should not use any books or notes during the exam. The exam will consist of two essay questions for each of the four sections covered in the course: political philosophy, jurisprudence, specific themes from the course textbook, and moral philosophy. The first question for each section will be general and the second will be more specific, requiring analysis of a particular chapter. Clarity of thought and expression as well as a strong grasp of Dworkin's work will be paramount.
Cahn presents a dichotomy between two views of the relationship between God and morality: (1) something is morally wrong because God says it is wrong, or (2) God says something is wrong because it is wrong independently of God. The student responds that this dichotomy could be false, as some argue morality flows from God's character. The student also questions Cahn's assumption that punishment is not necessary to mold character and motivate obedience to morality. More discussion is needed to fully address these points.
The document discusses several student questions about the works of Ronald Dworkin and how they relate to natural law theory and interpretivism. It suggests that the students may have topics for term papers in exploring these questions in more depth and comparing Dworkin's views to other philosophers like Hart. The responses recommend referring to specific sections of Dworkin's Taking Rights Seriously and other texts, and note the instructor will provide additional suggestions in class.
This document contains a discussion between a student and instructor about Peter Singer's work on ethics and morality. The student asks the instructor to clarify Singer's view on the relationship between reason and ethics, as the student failed to fully understand it. The student and instructor also discuss topics like promoting morality by appealing to self-interest, the justification of violence or coercion in certain cases, democracy, and the interests of sentient beings like trees.
This document summarizes services provided by the Julia N. Visor Academic Center to help students adjust to the academic challenges of college. It discusses how college classes differ from high school in workload, responsibility, and assessment. The Center offers workshops on study skills, time management, and other topics. It also provides free tutoring in specific courses and writing assistance to help students succeed. Students are encouraged to utilize these services early in the semester.
This document provides guidance on designing effective academic posters. It recommends focusing the poster on a clear message and essential elements like the title, authors, contact information, and graphics that support the main points. The document then discusses arranging these elements based on principles of flow and hierarchy. It suggests getting feedback on draft posters and provides examples and inspiration for creative design elements.
Read about this lecture here: http://wp.me/psIfS-2c
I gave a guest lecture at UNC SILS on Refworks. Along with the normal how-tos, I tried to talk about some frequently asked questions I get from patrons regarding Refworks.
A presentation meant to spur discussion about the issues surrounding consumer health information provision in public libraries. Presented in UNC SILS Seminar in Public Libraries (INLS 843).
The document discusses the importance and functions of research. It states that research corrects and expands perceptions by gathering new information on topics that are not well understood. Research also develops and evaluates concepts, practices, theories, and methods for testing these ideas. Additionally, research provides factual information to inform planning, decision-making, and evaluations for solving real-world problems related to issues like population growth, drug addiction, and crime. The document emphasizes that research is important for advancing human knowledge and improving life, and will continue to be relevant as long as people seek to expand their understanding of the world.
The student questions Singer's argument that there is no intrinsic difference between killing and letting die. While Singer argues the differences are merely extrinsic, the student believes the distinction should be drawn based on the contours of the self and one's autonomy over their own life. Abandoning one's family and projects against their will through forced killing is a meaningful intrinsic difference compared to letting die.
Here are the key points to focus on in preparing for the midterm:
- Understand how Singer's preference utilitarianism differs from other forms of utilitarianism like act and rule utilitarianism.
- Grasp how Singer argues for extending the principle of equal consideration of interests to non-human animals. His position rejects making moral distinctions based on subjective attributes like species membership.
- Comprehend how Singer analyzes interests and what constitutes having an interest according to his view. Having an interest is a value-neutral concept - it refers to any interest an individual can have in avoiding pain or developing their natural capacities.
- Be prepared to discuss objections to Singer's view, like the argument from marginal cases
Kant is arguing that the moral worth of an action lies not in its consequences or expected effects, but solely in the principle or motivation from which the action arises. For Kant, an action has moral worth only if it is done from duty to the moral law itself, not because of any external incentives or rewards. The good will and duty to the moral law are the sole determinants of morality, according to Kant.
This document summarizes Peter Singer's argument for sentientism from his essay "The Animal Liberation Movement". Singer argues that animals should have their interests equally considered because, like humans, they are sentient beings who can experience pain and suffering. He defines this view as sentientism. The document then outlines some potential criticisms of Singer's argument, such as its vagueness in defining which animals should be considered sentient. It also questions how suffering could be measured and how sentientism could be practically implemented without compromising human interests. In conclusion, the document argues that while preventing animal suffering is morally sound, sentientism may be unrealistic given today's societal dependencies on practices that cause animal pain.
Animal Rights
Animal Rights and Ethics Essay
Essay on Nonhuman Animal Rights
Essay on Animals Have Rights Too
Animal Rights And Human Rights
Essay On Animal Rights
Essay on Zoos and Animal Rights
Essay about Animal Rights
Essay on Animal Rights
Argumentative Essay On Animal Rights
Argument For Animal Rights
Essay on Animal Rights
Argumentative Essay On Animal Rights
Argumentative Essay On Animal Rights
Essay on Animals’ Rights?
My Views on Animal Rights
Argument for Animal Rights Essay
Animal Rights And Human Rights
Persuasive Speech On Animal Rights
Essay on ANIMAL RIGHTS
1. The document discusses the concepts of relative and absolute poverty. Relative poverty refers to poverty in industrialized nations where basic needs are met, while absolute poverty refers to extreme poverty in developing countries where basic needs are not met.
2. Singer argues that extreme poverty is a "moral equivalent of murder" because it leads to avoidable deaths, though others disagree due to differences in motivation, duties, outcomes, and identifiable victims and perpetrators.
3. Singer presents an argument that if we can prevent something bad without comparable cost, we ought to do it. He argues this means we have an obligation to prevent some absolute poverty. However, others object based on
1. The document provides instructions for requesting writing assistance from HelpWriting.net, including creating an account, completing an order form, and reviewing bids from writers to select one for the assignment.
2. After receiving a paper, the customer can request revisions to ensure satisfaction with the work. HelpWriting.net promises original, high-quality content and refunds for plagiarized work.
3. The process involves registering, submitting a request form with instructions and deadline, and choosing a writer based on their qualifications and reviews to complete the assignment.
Tom Regan argues in his article that animals deserve rights similar to humans. He believes that animals should not be used for food, experimentation, or sport because they can experience pain and pleasure like humans. Regan rejects views like utilitarianism that do not consider individual rights. He proposes a "right's view" where all living things deserve equal respect for their lives, regardless of species. While finding truth in Regan's view that all life deserves respect, the author raises questions about its practical implications for issues like eating meat, dealing with pest animals, and building infrastructure.
Respond to each item below in 2–3 paragraphs. Use Learning Resourc.docxpeggyd2
Respond to each item below in 2–3 paragraphs. Use Learning Resources,
· Please copy and number each question. Put your answer below each question.
First: Euthanasia
· What is the argument from nature against euthanasia? What role does religion play in this argument? How might a supporter of euthanasia respond?
· In the argument from practical effects, the author makes points concerning both (1) effects on the medical profession and (2) a slippery slope from voluntary to involuntary euthanasia. Explain.
· What is the pure utilitarian version of the argument from mercy? What are its strengths and limitations?
· What is the modified utilitarian version of the argument from mercy? How does it avoid the flaws of the pure version?
Second: Utilitarianism and World Poverty
· Poverty leads to other issues on the world stage, like crime. Do these associated effects increase the obligation of the wealthy to give to extreme poverty relief? Identify other associated effects of extreme poverty.
· What is the social contract theorist’s position on the idea that we have a duty to give extensive aid to strangers? Why? What is the utilitarian’s position? Why?
· One common critique of utilitarianism is that it is too demanding—that it asks too much of us. What solution does Singer offer to this critique? Do you agree or disagree? Why?
Third: Animal Welfare and Treatment
· Can the moral principle of equality be based on the factual equality of all human beings? Explain. What implications does this have for the equality of animals?
· Why does Singer believe that animals merit moral equality? That is, what morally significant capacity do animals have that they share with humans? Do you agree with Singer? Why?
· Consider Fred’s reason for torturing puppies in Chapter 16? How does Norcross argue that what Fred does is morally equivalent to what we do when we eat meat? Do you agree? Why?
· How does Norcross respond to the objection that one is not obliged to give up eating meat since it would not reduce the number of animals killed? Do you agree with Norcross? Why?
Forth: Environmental Land Ethics
· Explain the ethical sequence discussed in Aldo Leopold’s “Land Ethic.”
· What is the community concept and how does Leopold think it will influence how we tell history?
· Leopold talks about an ecological conscience. What is it and how do farmers show they lack it?
· Why is the purely economic approach to conservation doomed to failure according to Leopold? With what should it be replaced and why?
Last Part:
you will write a 4- to 6-page paper in which you argue for your philosophical views on two of the topics we’ve covered so far.
Your paper should have three sections of approximately equal length as outlined below.
In writing this paper, you must make reference to the arguments and positions we have studied.
· For section 1, you should argue for a position on one of the topics we’ve discussed. Make sure that you consult most if not all of the additional resources lis.
This week we will discuss consciousness and artificial intelligenc.docxrhetttrevannion
This week we will discuss consciousness and artificial intelligence. Watch this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chukkEeGrLM
Now read this article:
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/will-machines-ever-become-conscious/
Using these two sources as well as your readings for this week to support your discussion, do you think robots will ever achieve consciousness in the same sense that humans are conscious? Why or why not? Should scientists be trying to achieve the goal of consciousness in machines? What are some ethical issues one might consider when arguing for or against the achievement of conscious robots?
Classmate post 1:
Do you think robots will ever achieve consciousness in the same sense that humans are conscious? Why or why not?
I think it is hard to tell whether or not AI will ever achieve consciousness because as humans we are prone to anthropomorphizing things and we cannot truly be sure whether or not the appearance of sentience in AI is just a “clever illusion,” at least as of now. I was watching a video about how one of the Google employees testing its LaMDA AI believed it had achieved sentience, and reading the transcript of the conversation between him and the AI was incredibly eerie and the AI certainly gave the appearance of being sentient. One thing I know is that people trying to figure out whether or not an AI has achieved consciousness will teach us a lot about human consciousness itself and how to define it, as we ourselves still can’t fully understand it.
Should scientists be trying to achieve the goal of consciousness in machines? What are some ethical issues one might consider when arguing for or against the achievement of conscious robots?
I think it would be very cool to be able to one day talk to a robot that has achieved consciousness, but I have to also think about whether it would be a good thing for humanity. I think if we intend to have machines and AI work alongside us and help us, it would be best to avoid trying to recreate consciousness in them. I think it would only cause issues with them fulfilling their actual purpose if humans come to see them as too similar to themselves and as having emotions and feelings; we would naturally be prone to becoming attached to them and could be easily manipulated by an AI with ill intentions. It would also raise some serious ethical issues in my opinion, as if an AI/robot is truly sentient and capable of human emotion, should we then treat them as human? Would shutting down a sentient AI be the same thing as murder? Can a sentient robot experience emotional trauma? This is a slippery slope, but I think that it is one we will have to deal with since scientists will likely only continue to seek to achieve AI consciousness.
Classmate post 2:
Humans are continually surprised and inspired by technological advancements since they make our daily life easier. Yes, it makes life simpler and more smooth. Humans are aware that our capacity for reas.
Here are the questions from the passage:
1. What are the two main lessons we should learn from cultural relativism according to the author?
The two main lessons are:
1) Cultural relativism warns us that not all of our practices are based on some absolute rational standard, and some are merely conventional to our society.
2) Cultural relativism keeps an open mind and reminds us that our feelings are not necessarily perceptions of truth, but may be due to cultural conditioning. This helps broaden our minds.
2. How does the author say we can understand the appeal of cultural relativism despite its shortcomings?
The author says we can understand the appeal of cultural relativism despite its shortcomings
1) The document discusses Richard Rorty's view of pragmatism which denies that there is a vocabulary which accurately describes reality, and Ronald Dworkin's rejection of this view.
2) Dworkin argues that language derives meaning from social use and context, in line with Wittgenstein's philosophy, not from an external perspective as Rorty claims.
3) Dworkin challenges the "no-right-answer thesis" by arguing that in hard legal cases, judges and lawyers still aim to and believe they have found the soundest or correct arguments and answers.
This document discusses Ronald Dworkin's view that a judge's moral convictions should bear on their judgments about what the law is. Dworkin believes that interpreting laws often requires determining their moral content or resolving ambiguities, which involves moral reasoning. He argues against legal positivism and originalism, stating that the doctrinal concept of law is interpretive rather than merely descriptive. Dworkin also distinguishes between different stages of legal theory - semantic, jurisprudential, doctrinal, and adjudicative - and believes integrity-based moral principles provide the best interpretation of law.
You raise a good point about the implications of Marquis' argument based on potential future experiences. A few thoughts in response:
1. Marquis could argue that while a fetus has the longest potential future, its experiences and capacities are not yet developed to the same degree as an infant or child. So an infant's life may have greater intrinsic value despite a shorter potential future span.
2. Potential future experiences are just one consideration in Marquis' view. He may argue that once a being has attained a certain level of developed experiences, capacities for relationships, etc. its life gains greater intrinsic value regardless of remaining lifespan.
3. You're right that strictly following potential future alone could imply the value of life diminishes with
The document explores connections between Robert Nozick's account of symbolic utility and F.P. Ramsey's discussion of ethically neutral propositions. It argues that Ramsey's recognition of non-neutral propositions is essential to his foundational work on expected utility theory. This helps make the case that symbolic utility belongs to the apparatus that constructs expected utility, rather than being reducible to it. The document concludes that decision value, which incorporates expected utility, symbolic utility, and their interrelations, replaces expected utility as the central concept in normative decision theory.
Aristotle argues that to understand
what constitutes human happiness or
flourishing, we must first understand the
distinctive function or purpose of human
beings. Identifying this function will help
clarify the nature of the highest human good.
The document provides an overview and excerpts from Peter Singer's Practical Ethics which advocates for a consequentialist approach to ethics and preference utilitarianism. It also discusses William Frankena's view that ethics requires examining issues through reasoning rather than emotions or popular opinion. Excerpts from Plato's Crito are presented where Socrates argues that justice and living well are more important than physical life or reputation.
1. pmail
Pretend there is an orphan who is healthy, but absolutely alone in this
world. Now pretend there is a sick child who is in desperate need of
a vital organ, without which she will die. This sick child is
completely healthy, except for the bad organ. Not only does this
child have preferences of her own, but she also has a large, loving
family who all have preferences that are intimately tied to the
survival of their sick relation.If I understand Singer correctly, it
would seem that it would be perfectly acceptable (and likely even
morally urgent) for the Utilitarian doctor to take the healthy organ
from the orphan (even though it would kill her and thereby
frustrate all her preferences) and transplant it into the sick child
to satisfy the greater preferences (i.e. the bundle of intertwined
preferences of the sick child and her large family). Even though
Singer's Preference Utilitarianism attempts to preserve the
"person" by focusing on preferences, it seems to view persons as
nothing more than mere preference/utility holders valuable only
insofar as they are the containers in which preferences are stored.
Both persons and preferences seem quite easily replaceable as long
as they are traded in for more persons and/or preferences.
2. pmail
Student: I think that Singer would agree with [graveyard utilitarianism]
in theory, because never having any pain is a like maximizing utility.
However, since we do exist, anything to prevent future existence
would not maximizing utility. For example, if a person wants to have
children (or an animal offspring) it would prevent them from
maximizing utility by not allowing them to do so. That is how I looked
at it at least, I was wondering what you think Singers response might
be...
DrC: Part of Benatar's argument is that we tend to underestimate the
amount of pain and suffering in our lives and the lives of others. When
we take this into account, he thinks, the case for refraining from
reproduction becomes especially strong, because it would lead to so
much more of this bad stuff. But if we refrain from doing so, no future
people will suffer, and their merely "possible pleasures" don't count. I
think Singer disagrees on this last point: his principle of utility enjoins
to maximize the translation of these possible pleasures into actual
ones. The possible pleasures do count, according to him.
3. pmail
Student: Singer states that even though we may believe that humans
form special relations, this is tying morality too closely to our affections. I
feel that humans are very social creatures and this should not be so
easily dismissed. Wouldn't it be part of equal considerations of interests
when choosing between the two that more humans will feel empathy and
sadness over having to use the human infant?
DrC: The tie between morality and the affections may be closer than Singer
allows. That said, he does acknowledge that the emotional ties between a
human infant and its parents would count against equating the human infant
to a non-human animal. However, the “tie breaking” argument is meant to
apply even when those special ties are absent. Even when there are no
emotional ties that favour the human infant, one would be justified in
systematically choosing to save the human infant’s life in tie-breaking
situations.
4. pmail
Student: the ethical life that he [Singer] advocates is compelling, and
worth pursuing even if one will, from time to time, have to admit that
they are acting unethically. I just don't think that I can really dispel of
the idea (even if I don't like it) that it is unethical (even murder) to go
to the movies when you could feed a child--surely if it was your own
child, you wouldn't choose the movies. Of course, most of us are
bound to place our comparatively petty interests above those of
starving children. Still, we could go to the movies less, eat out less,
buy less starbucks--and I think that's the point, that we can always do
better than we're now doing, putting an active effort into becoming
better people.
DrC: To the extent that that’s the point, then demi-vegetarianism is in
harmony with Singer’s theory. But if the point is that our ordinary
omissions are tantamount to murder, demi-speciesism rejects that
moral equivalence.
5. pmail
Student: I wonder whether or not there is the possibility for a universal
ethics, which could transcend cultural or national boundaries. At the
current moment in time, this doesn't seem likely, but from which points
could one try and start to construct such a system of ethics (at least in
an attempt)? What is necessary to make something universal in an
ethical (rather than metaphysical, for example) sense?
Singer's utilitarianism is to be understood as a universal ethic. Maybe
you're wondering about how to incorporate the insights of cultural
relativism into a universal ethic. Well, demi-speciesism (Decision-
value utilitarianism) does this by giving weight to the meaning of an
act as well as it consequences. These meanings are culturally
relative, but the consequences are not. Combining the two, you get a
form of utilitarianism that has relative and non-relative elements. It too
is to be understood as a universal ethic, though it incorporates rather
than transcends a culture's meanings.
6. pmail
It's easy to see that most animals can experience pain and pleasure
because they share qualities with us humans, such as eyes, a mouth,
etc, so we can TELL if they're in pain by their facial expressions and
actions. But we can't observe this as easily with other things like a
clam or a plant or a bacterium. So how come the line seems to
arbitrarily be drawn, putting plants and single celled organisms on the
non-sentient side? It has been proven that plants, when under attack,
send out chemical messengers to warn other plants of their distress
so they can prepare. . . is this not a feeling? What is a feeling? And
bacteria react to distress in an extremely similar way as all animal
cells . . . so how come they're not considered sentient?
DrC: You might study up on Jainism and the Sorites paradox to
pursue your (excellent) thought.
7. pmail
Student: The problem that I have with animals and meat is the
corporate and large-hold farmers. For them, cruelty is part of the cost-
cutting that they feel they need to impose in order to increase profits
for their share-holders and investors. Small-holders tend to be
members of PETA, and because their vestment is with the animals,
their concerns tend to be with what is best for the animal. In my mind,
Singer makes a terrific argument for the small-hold farmers against
the corporate farms. Hence, when I go out for dinner in Edmonton, I
tend to go to places like Blue Plate Diner and TheSugarbowl because
of their involvement with local producers and small-holders. The
product tastes better and is morally sound.
DrC: This looks like good demi-vegetarian practice.
8. pmail
Student: Consider the case of a super morbidly obese person. This
person consumes 4 to 5 times the amount of food that the average
person consumes and is so massive that they cannot move, severely
limiting their autonomy and utility. Vast amounts of food are consumed
by this person, food that could be used to feed starving people in third
world countries. Also, a majority of this food comes from animals
meaning that a large number of animals had to suffer just to satisfy
this person's appetite. This obese person has never felt true hunger
and all the suffering being caused stems from the short term pleasure
of eating. How would a demi-vegetarian/demi-speciesist view this
situation and how would it compare to Singer’s view?
Consider the common meaning in our culture (as opposed to an
idiosyncratic meaning) that personal autonomy is a fundamental
value. This common meaning protects the individual you are
discussing.
9. Singer 4, “What’s wrong
with killing”
Singer: The doctrine of the sanctity of
human life “is now part of a broadly secular
ethic, and it is as part of this secular ethic
that it is most influential today.” (84T)
DrC: I’m not sure this is true. How are we to
understand a broadly secular ethic? Does he
mean an ethic for “the causal nexus”, or an
ethic that includes common meanings in
cultures?
10. Singer
Singer: “I propose to use `person’ in the
sense of a rational and self-conscious being,
to capture those elements of the popular
sense of `human being’ that are not covered
by `member of the species Homo sapiens’.
(87B)
DrC: Does this help us to think clearly about
the intuition that killing a pregnant woman is
killing two people?
11. Singer
Singer: “The classical utilitarian can still
regard killing as wrong because it eliminates
the happiness that the victim would have
experienced, had she lived.” (91B)
DrC: Although Singer is talking about
classical utilitarianism here, his point would
apply as well to his own preference
utilitarianism.
12. Singer
Singer and Tooley: “Tooley argues, however,
that the retrospective attribution of an
interest in living to the infant is a mistake. I
am not the infant from whom I
developed.” (97B)
DrC: Yes you are. You were then and you are
now the person, Peter Singer. This conflicts
with the stipulative definition, but so much
the worse for it.
13. Singer
Singer: “But how do we square the prior
existence view with our intuitions about the
reverse case, when a couple are considering
having a child who, perhaps because it will
inherit a genetic defect, would lead a
thoroughly miserable life and die before its
second birthday?” (104T)
DrC: Graveyard utilitarianism resolves this
case, and also avoids the `total’ view, as it
views pleasure and pain as asymmetrical.
14. Rachels, “Egoism and
Moral Scepticism”
Rachels: “It is a measure of the weakness of
psychological egoism that these
insupportable arguments are the ones most
often advanced in its favor. Why, then, should
anyone ever have thought it a true view?”
DrC: Maybe the true view is an
approximation: people are *predominantly*
egoistic.
15. Cahn & Murphy,
“Happiness and ....”
“When I think of the man described by
Professor Cahn, I find that I *pity* him --
pity him because, with Plato, I think that he
is punished simply by being the kind of
person that he is. But why would I pity him
if I thought that he was truly happy?” (67T)
Note that preference utilitarianism can’t
account for the idea of such value sanctions.