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Compare and contrast the views of G. E. Moore and J. L. Mackie as presented in the recommended readings from the Principia Ethica and Ethics: Inventing Right and Wrong. This will require discussion of the distinction between moral realism and anti-realism and of the distinction between moral cognitivism and non-cognitivism.
Is suicide ever morally permissible? Discuss J. David Velleman’s response to this question, making use of Velleman’s “A Right of Self-Termination?” and relevant material from Kant.
With consideration of the views of two of John Locke, Lynne Rudder Baker, and Michael Tooley, answer this question: What does it take for an entity to be a person?
What topic we have covered in this course did you find most interesting? What readings most inspired you to examine your life?
Critically assess whether Plato/Socrates’ views on censorship are harmful or beneficial for the well-being of society, providing ONLY ONE case study to support your claims.
In class, you studied Plato’s Ring of Gyges allegory and what Plato thinks it proves about human nature. Next, you will apply this to the modern-day issue of internet anonymity.
In this paper you will (1) introduce your topic and (2) give a brief overview of Plato’s Ring of Gyges allegory. Then, using the modern-day issue of internet anonymity, you will (3) explain why some authors argue that internet anonymity proves Plato is right and it must be eliminated. Next, you will (4) explain why other authors disagree and argue that internet anonymity must be maintained. Finally, you will (5) give your own personal position and defend your position.
A recurring theme in the chapters on epistemology and ethics has been the dichotomy of reason/emotion. Various authors have favored either reason or emotion as the most promising source of knowledge, whether knowledge of the physical world around us oror knowledge of morality, what is right or wrong to do in a given situation. Compare and contrast one of the following pairs of authors on this issue, and argue for the view you believe is more convincing/plausible/accurate
write about, you are required to compare and contrast how at least two of the ethical theories deal with the topic. Choose two or more of the following ethical theories to compare and contrast in your paper: utilitarianism, Kantianism (deontological theory), ethics of care (feminist ethics), virtue ethics, recognition ethics, mutualist ethics. Don’t guess at what these ethical theories are, but study Chapter 3 for details about them. Must include a “Works Cited” section and cite two scholarly articles from scholarly journals (not books, not book reviews, not book chapters, not newspaper, newsletter, or magazine articles, etc.) on topic related to the topic of your essay
Here are some of articles/videos:
1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCIB_vXUptY
2. https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-us-canada-54148804
3. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/12/technology/laptops-schools-digital-divide.html
At the end of the Meno, Socrates states that knowledge is true belief that has been “[tied] down by giving an account of the reason why” (98a). ChatGPT4 answers this question in the following way:
“Socrates believes that to truly know a concept, one must be able to answer ‘What is ____?’ questions in a way that provides a rational and coherent account of the concept’s essence or definition. This means not only having a true belief about the concept but also being able to articulate the reasons and principles that make that belief true. So, when Socrates talks about knowledge as true belief with an account of the reason why, he is emphasizing the importance of not just holding correct beliefs but also understanding and being able to explain why those beliefs are correct. This aligns with his method of inquiry, where he engages in dialectical conversations to help individuals clarify and justify their beliefs.”
How could this answer be improved? How does this conception of knowledge as true belief + an account of the reason why relate to Socrates’ implicit belief that having knowledge consists in being able to answer “What is ____?” questions? Cite the pre-Socratics fragments and Plato’s text in order to substantiate your claims. Use your word allotment wisely, i.e. be concise. Write it under 500 words
What is the significance of Justice, Necessity, and Fate in Parmenides’ poem? How do these concepts relate to the notion of “what is”?