PP224 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Egalitarianism, Centrism, Tom Regan
Document Summary
These questions touch on the main topics from the first half of the course. If you can answer all these questions you should do well on the midterm. It is also a good idea to know a few of the examples that were discussed. Week 1: ethical theories: what are the four ethical theories examined in class (utilitarianism, kantianism, social. Response: rule-utilitarianism: an act is right only if an only if it conforms to a rule that, if followed by everyone, will produce the best consequences. Criticism 2): act-utilitarianism is too demanding because it may require actions that are extremely difficult or even psychologically impossible. (ex. : saving your drowning wife versus a drowning doctor on the cusp of curing cancer) the impartiality utilitarianism asks of us is out of place. Criticism 3): utilitarianism eliminates supererogation, of which its conceptual value is meant to give our moral practices some subtlety and flexibility.
