Reference no: EM132628590

1. Wolff offers attention to a # of specific examples Kant utilizes within his writing. Selecting only one of these specific examples, do you agree with Kant's ethical view within your chosen example? Why or why not?

2. Kant claims that an awareness of ethics necessarily leads one to postulate the existence of God and the immortality of the soul, and Wolff explains Kant's views. Though we've already discussed the relationship between religion and morality in previous chapters, what do you make of Kant's logic regarding his views on this relationship? Do you think Kant's ethical philosophy might still have value if one does not agree with his views on this relationship b/w God and morality? If so, why? If not, why not?

3. Wolff references Carol Gilligan's claim that "men and women reason about moral questions in different ways" . What do you think of Gilligan's views here? Are ethics "gendered" in any way?

4. What do you think about Aristotle's theory that virtues can be determined as a mean between two vices? How might you define virtue, or virtues? Are there any virtues that you can think of that don't fit within this theory?

5. Aristotle is clear within his explanation of the doctrine of the mean that some actions are inherently bad and do not lend themselves to the doctrine of the mean (one can't steal "just the right amount" of times or in the right way for example). While he gives some examples of these actions, it is by no means a complete list. Do you find determining what actions might always be bad to be problematic for his ethical philosophy? If not, why not? If so, how do you think one might determine what actions might always be bad in relation to Aristotle's ethical views?

6. Aristotle suggests within his writing that he is not offering a theory of action, or a prescriptive ethical theory, but rather just a way to think about virtue, or a descriptive ethical theory. Some philosophers and critics, like Kant, have claimed that Aristotle actually does have a prescriptive theory despite his own intentions or beliefs. What do you think? Does Aristotle have a prescriptive ethical theory? If so, how effective of a prescriptive theory do you think it is? If not, is it fair to criticize Aristotle's views on prescriptive grounds?

7. Many criticisms of virtue ethics, and particularly Aristotle's virtue ethics, come from those who feel it pays too much attention to external factors, such as moral luck, as Aristotle is clear that in his view, the good moral life "partially depends on the possession of wealth, family, and other external factors" . Why are these external factors important for Aristotle and do you agree or disagree with his views on them?

8. The section "Do You Have a Character?" examines situational ethics and the problems it presents for virtue ethics. What are your thoughts about the scenarios described in this section? Are they valuable for understanding ethics? If not, why not? If so, what might they suggest about one's character and identity?