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Dowling College PHL 042A Ethics

Final exam. Open book. 80 minutes.

I will give you one case to discuss. Your role is to advise various people involved in the case. You should discuss the following points.

· What courses of action are available?

· What further information would be helpful to obtain before making a decision?

· What are the ethical and philosophical issues involved? What are the main positions that can be taken on these issues?

· Who should make the decision? Who should be consulted in the decision-making? Do some people have no right to be involved in the process?

· What would you recommend be done?

I will also ask you to answer 2 questions from 4 of the following.

Do not quote extensively from the books; put your answers in your own words. You can quote short sentences or phrases if it is helpful.

1. Summarize the ideas of Sara Goering as she explains them in her article “Gene Therapies and the Pursuit of a Better Human.”

2. Explain how Sara Ruddick argues that women have a powerful ability to criticize society, as set out in her article, “A Women’s Politics of Resistance,”

3. Explain the argument of Joel Anderson, “Is Equality Tearing Families Apart?” Be sure to explain the views he is arguing against and explain how he counters those views.

4. Summarize the ethical approach called “self-realization theory” by Fox and DeMarco in Chapter 6 of Moral Reasoning. Contrast this approach with utilitarianism.

5. Carefully explain John Dewey’s “Pragmatist” approach to ethics as explained by Fox and DeMarco in Chapter 8 of Moral Reasoning. Contrast this approach with Kantianism.