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Chaffee, 3e Chapter 10
Chaffee, 3e Chapter 10
Section 9.2) feature the concepts of virtue and of the Golden Mean as integral parts of their philosophies. How are they similar and different?
Do you agree that Confuciuss
concept of li, the rules of propriety, could lead to a more harmonious society? What are the advantages and disadvantages? Would this concept work in a modern, multicultural society?
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Wisdom
Reason Philosopher
Ruler/King
Courage
Spirit
Guardians
Protect
Temperance Appetites
Workers
Provide/Nourish
fulfill their potential as members of a social community, and that people who could exist independently of human community must be either a beast or a god. Do you agree? Why or why not?
Aristotle believed that slaves were fulfilling their natural function in society by
promoting the general interest for all. He also argued that if slaves were freed, they would be unhappy and unable to cope with the challenges of living. What arguments would you make to convince him that his view of slaves is unjust?
Aristotle also believed that women should not be considered the equals of men, and
that fulfilling their potential meant recognizing and accepting their secondary status. What arguments would you make to convince Aristotle that his view is mistaken? How might he respond?
Justice, for Aristotle, is the result of each person fulfilling his or her natural
potential, which would result in a hierarchical but cooperative society. Critically evaluate this definition of justice.
[In the state of nature there is that] which is worst of all, continual fear, and danger of violent death; and the life of man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short
psychological egoism is true; people act in their own self interest Absent society (in the state of nature) every person pursues his own self interest without any checks As Hobbes says, it is a state of war In the state of nature there is no such thing as good or bad, right or wrong It is simply take what you can and defend it as long as you can
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whatever they want and promise not to harm, steal, etc from others This is the only way that they can truly maximize their self interest
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applies to them because each Human is rational and self interested and sees that this is the only way to maximize their interests
Rawls
Behind such a veil of ignorance we would not accept
goods/rights that is consistent with everyone getting the same amount In cases where there are inequalities they must be beneficial to the least advantaged member of society
Rawls II
But this does not mean that every one must earn
salary So in the case of a medical doctor, the schooling is very expensive and to be a good doctor requires a lot of work Paying doctors more serves as an incentive to attract smart hard working people to the field This also works out to the advantage of the least advantaged When a lower income person goes to the hospital they will get the care of a qualified person, which is to their advantage
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laws and justice systems, they are nevertheless bound by the law of nature, reflecting Gods will. Do you agree with this view? Why or why not? If so, what values and stipulations are part of the law of nature? be rebelled against and dissolved if it fails to perform its functions under the social contract. What functions would your government have to fail to perform for you to support the idea of rebelling against it?
As the servant of the people, Locke believed that the political state should
Locke believes that all people retain the right to control their own bodies and
are entitled to a fair share of whatever they produce through their own labor. Do you agree with this view? Why or why not? Can you think of any exceptions to this perspective (for example, someone contemplating suicide)?
from Life, liberty and property to Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. How does the meaning of these two formulations differ? Which one do you think is more appropriate for the Declaration of Independence? Why?
Health care
Political representation Other areas you believe are important
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Why were Marx and Engels convinced that capitalism would be overthrown by a revolution of the proletariat? Explain the reasons you believe that in general these revolutions never took place. Do you think such revolutions might occur in the future? Why or why not?
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Do you agree with Mills concern and warning that there is a perennial tendency to
strengthen society and diminish the power of the individual? Provide examples from our current culture to support your response.
Explain what Mill means in the following passage. Do you agree? Why or why not?
He who lets the world, or his own portion of it, choose his plan of life for him, has no need of any other faculty than the ape-like one of imitation. He who chooses his plan for himself, employs all his faculties. He must use his observation to see, reasoning and judgment to foresee, activity to gain greater materials for decision, discrimination to decide, and when he has decided, firmness and self-control to hold his deliberate decision.
According to Okin, much of womens unequal status can be traced to their traditional role in the family. Explain the reasoning Okin uses to support this position. Do you agree with her?