Reference no: EM13897794

Part 1: Kant

1) What is the worst thing we can do for morality?

2) Why can't even Jesus Christ serve as a model for moral action?

3) What does Kant mean when he says "Actions which are recognized to be objectively necessary are subjectively contingent?"

4) What is the relationship between the objective principle of reason and the subjective will?

5) What are the two different kinds of imperatives?

6) What is the natural law formulation of the categorical imperative and how is it supposed to work?

7) On the natural law formulation, why is suicide immoral?

8) On the natural law formulation, why is a lying promise immoral?

9) On the natural law formulation, why is not developing one's talents immoral?

10) On the natural law formulation, why is rejecting to give to charity immoral?

11) Explain the two tests for consistency of natural law and maxim. What two different kinds of duties are illustrated?

12) What is the end-in-itself formulation of the categorical imperative?

13) On the end-in-itself formulation, why is suicide immoral?

14) On the end-in-itself formulation, why is a false promise immoral?

15) On the end-in-itself formulation, why is rejecting talent's immoral?

16) On the end-in-itself formulation, why is rejecting charity immoral?

Part 2: Aristotle

1) How does Aristotle argue for better and highest goods? Is this a good argument? Why or why not?

2) How does Aristotle argue that a life of pleasure is not the best good? Is this a good argument? Why or why not?

3) How does Aristotle argue that a life of honor is not the best good? Is this a good argument? Why or why not?

4) Describe in detail and with example how Aristotle would determine the good of any particular thing. What is the good for humanity and how does Aristotle arrive at this conclusion?

5) Why would Aristotle think that rational activity in accord with perfect virtue would bring happiness? Are these good reasons for thinking this way?

6) Are some external good like a little bit of looks and wealth necessary to be happy? Why or why not?

7) Why does Aristotle think that happiness is not likely to be a product of luck or fortune? Are these good reasons for thinking this way?

8) How does the fate of Priam of Troy enter into Aristotle's concept of happiness? Is this something that Aristotle should consider in his theory of the good life? Why or why not?

9) Explain Aristotle's three divisions of the mind. Are these good distinctions? How does Aristotle use these divisions to explain virtues of thought and virtues of character.

10) Aristotle states 'And so the virtues arise in us neither by nature nor against nature. Rather, we are by nature able to acquire them, and we are completed through habit.' What does he have in mind with this statement?

11) How does being brave make one brave and how would an excess of bravery ruin bravery?

12) In the section entitled 'The Importance of Pleasure and Pain' Aristotle discusses virtues in terms of pleasure and pains. What is Aristotle's view of the relationship between virtue and pleasure and pain?

13) Explain what Aristotle means by 'the right state' for acting in accord with the virtues.

14) What is this 'mean' that Aristotle speaks of in regard to virtue?

15 What does Aristotle intend by such words as 'cowardly, truthful and buffoonery?'

16) What, for Aristotle, is 'the second best tack?'

Part 3: Aristotle

1) What does Aristotle have to say about ‘Bravery; Its Scope' and ‘Bravery; It's Characteristic Outlook'?

2) What does Aristotle have to say about ‘Temperance; Its Scope' and ‘Temperance; It's Outlook'?

3) What does Aristotle have to say about ‘Generosity'

4) What does Aristotle have to say about ‘Magnificence'

5) What does Aristotle have to say about ‘Magnanimity'

6) What does Aristotle have to say about ‘Mildness'

7) What does Aristotle have to say about ‘Friendliness'

8) What does Aristotle have to say about ‘Truthfulness'

9) What does Aristotle have to say about ‘Wit'