Philosophy 341
Spring 1998

FINAL EXAM

One essay question from those listed below along with about six identifications will be chosen by the instructor at the time of the exam. The same guidelines apply as for the midterm.




Essay Questions:
  1. Explain Hume's "sentimentalist" theory of moral judgment. Why does he say that moral judgment can't be based on "reason"? Explain how he interprets the terms involved in his account, and what grounds he gives for it. Are they adequate? Explain why/why not.


  2. Explain how Kant's view is supposed to apply to a case of "imperfect" duty such as the duty to aid people in distress. Take one of the versions of the categorical imperative and illustrate the steps involved in applying it to the case. In what sense does he think a "perfect" duty is more important? Do you agree? Explain why/why not.


  3. Can utilitarianism on Mill's account explain when and why we should punish lawbreakers? Raise a problematic case for Mill's account--one example suggested in class was imposing the death penalty on 5% of drug dealers, but you may choose another example-- and show how Mill might try to respond to it. Is the response adequate? Why/why not?


  4. Mill gives two "maxims" of liberty in On Liberty, p. 1087. Are these compatible with his defense in Utilitarianism of a single principle for deciding rightness or wrongness in terms of consequences? Are there any cases where individual liberty of the sort he defends might seem to have bad consequences for society in general? How might he try to handle such cases within the terms of his theory?





Terms for Identification: