Reference no: EM133382880

Questions 1. Explain the difference between an instrumental good and an intrinsic good. Come up with a clear example of each kind of good. Describe a scenario that clearly demonstrates that each example you have selected is the kind of good you say it is.

2. How could an Epicurean hedonist defend choosing something unpleasant (going to the dentist, for example, or studying for a test) or avoiding something pleasant (going to a party, for example, or playing a video game). How would an Aristippean hedonist argue against the Epicurean? You can discuss either choosing something unpleasant, or avoiding something pleasant, or both.

3. "I took my child to the dentist. They didn't want to go, but it was for their own good. It really doesn't matter what they want." Clearly and thoroughly explain how a desire satisfaction theorist would argue against the standpoint communicated in this quote. What is the relationship between desire-satisfaction and benefit according to a desire-satisfaction theorist? Do you agree with their characterization of this relationship? Why or why not?

4. "Even though I really couldn't afford it, I ended up donating a substantial sum of money to a reputable charity that provides disadvantaged people access to quality medical care." Provide one detailed speculative explanation of this expressed behaviour from the standpoint of psychological egoism. Do you find explanations of this sort of behaviour from the standpoint of psychological egoism convincing or unconvincing? Provide reasons for your answer either way.

5. Clearly and thoroughly explain why the following is the case: If there is a god who has reasons for commanding some actions as morally good and forbidding others as evil, then divine command theory is incorrect.

6. Clearly explain how justifying moral values and beliefs by pointing out that they are long-standing (i.e., traditional) is an instance of what philosopher David Hume called the is-ought fallacy. Do you agree or disagree with Hume in his criticism of justifications of this kind? Support your answer with reasons.

7. How does moral relativism as a meta-ethical theory of moral truth differ from a mere assertion that different people in different places and at different times have different moral values and beliefs (i.e., what does moral relativism say in addition to this assertion)?

8. How exactly might ethical subjectivism result in irresolvable moral conflicts? Do you think that the fact that it can result in irresolvable moral conflicts makes it a bad theory? Explain your answer.

9. Clearly and thoroughly explain what would make an individual member of a culture immoral from the standpoint of that culture, according to cultural relativism. Do you agree or disagree with cultural relativism