Preparing for Quiz 12

In this section we think about ethics. We study two major systems of normative ethics in Western philosophy: utilitarianism and Kant's ethics.

This is the material for Quiz 12.

Readings for Quiz 12

The reading assignments for this section are:

• DP Ch 7 sections on "Utilitarianism" and "Duty-Oriented Morality"

• Utilitarianism, p. 6 - 33

• The following notes:

  • Introduction to Ethics

  • Notes on Utilitarianism

  • Kant's Ethics

Objectives for Quiz 12

You should be able to answer the following essay questions:

1. Compare and contrast the utilitarian views of Bentham and Mill.

2. Why might utilitarianism offend our sense of justice? Give example(s). What would a defender of utilitarianism respond to the justice objection?

3. What is Kant's criterion for moral acceptability of a maxim, according to the universalizability formulation of the categorical imperative? Give an example of a maxim that satisfies Kant's criterion and explain why the maxim you pick would be morally acceptable for Kant.

4. What does the respect formulation of the categorical imperative command?

5. Explain the difference between act and rule utilitarianism.

6. The world is threatened with drought, so people are urged to conserve water. Jack lives far from his neighbors, and no one ever drives by Jack's house. The water company has forgotten that Jack exists, so he receives no bills and no meter-reader ever comes to his house. Jack knows about the conservation effort, but he really wants a green lawn. He knows that if he waters his lawn, he won't be harming anyone because his lawn is small and the amount of water he uses won't affect the drought. So Jack continues to water. What would Kant say about this case? An act-utilitarian? A rule-utilitarian? Give reasons, not just conclusions!