Reference no: EM133339539

Questions:

1. Briefly describe (a) a common criticism of utilitarianism, and (b) a possible response to that criticism, defending utilitarianism. Which side (the critic or the defender) do you think has the stronger case in your example?
2. Suppose your roommate (or friend, relative, whatever) glances at the notes for this class and notices the use of the terms "phishing" and "nudging." Your puzzled roommate asks you: "what is the difference between phishing and nudging?" Answer your roommate's question, addressing the perspectives of some combination of Akerlof, Shiller, Sunstein, and Thaler.
3. Briefly describe 2 of the moral foundations proposed by Haidt and describe how a utilitarian could not easily explain or justify them. (In other words, explain how these 2 moral foundations would NOT fit well with utilitarianism.)
4. Describe the ultimatum game and discuss different arguments for the proper way people should behave in this game. What did our class demonstration and discussion of the ultimatum game teach you?
5. Recall again this passage from Smith:

Case Study: The strength of the mastiff is not, in the least, supported either by the swiftness of the greyhound, by the sagacity of the spaniel, or by the docility of the shepherd's dog...Each animal is still obliged to support and defend itself, separately and independently, and derives no sort of advantage from that variety of talents with which nature has distinguished its fellows. Among men, on the contrary, the most dissimilar geniuses are of use to one another; the different produces of their respective talents, by the general disposition to truck, barter, and exchange, being brought, as it were, into a common stock, where every man may purchase whatever part of the produce of other men's talents, he has occasion for.

What does this passage suggest about how people do (or should) relate to each other? What does it suggest about what responsibilities people may have to each other in terms of commerce or consumption? How does it relate to the concept of "minding your own business"?