Wednesday, June 20, 2007

PHI 2604 Homework: Chapter 1

Have the answers to these questions ready for our next meeting on Wednesday.

1- Discuss the different meanings of “Ethics”?
2- Establish the distinction between “moral” and “non-moral” standards.
3- What’s the difference between morality and etiquette. Think of one example.
4- Point to the differences between “morality” and “law.” Think of one example.
5- Where do moral standards come from?
6- Is religion necessary for morality? Explain why or why not.
7- Define “ethical relativism.” Go over some of the counterarguments explore in the text. Do you have any other possible objections to this position?
8- Is it true that “business” has its own kind of ethics as Albert Carr argues for?
9- How reliable is our conscience when it comes to acting morally? Comment on Huck example.
10- Regarding individual responsibility within a corporation, what was David Frew’s discovery?
11- What is a defensible moral judgment?
12- Discuss the requirements for moral judgments?

Bonus question: From the Reading "Moral Responsibility in the Age of Bureaucracy" (page 45, 9th Ed).

1- What is the "psychology of destructive obedience"?
2- The reading addresses 5 kinds of obligations connected to the idea of individual responsibility: (... of investigation, of protection, of prevention, of precaution). Explain each one.