Lesson 3 Assignment

Choose 5 questionsto write about out of the following. No less than a one-page response.

1. Under what scenario could a consequentialist defend the act of stealing?


2. Could a consequentialist recommend that a toy company lie about the age level a toy is designed for? What would be an example?


3. What is a utilitarian argument in favor of a college education? How does it differ from other reasons you might want to go to college or graduate school?


4. How could a utilitarian justify cheating on an exam?


5. What are “global ethics”?


6. What practical problem with utilitarianism is (to some degree) resolved by monetized utilitarianism?


7. What are two advantages of utilitarian ethics when compared with the ethics of duties?


8. What are two disadvantages of utilitarian ethics when compared with the ethics of duties?


9. What’s an example from today’s world of a utilitarian monster?


10. What’s an example from today’s world of a utilitarian sacrifice?


11. Theoretically, could the most devoted altruist in a society also be its richest and happiest member? How?


12. Does Blake Mycoskie have to be an altruist for TOMS Shoes to be considered an altruistic enterprise?


13. Does TOMS Shoes have to be an altruistic enterprise for Mycoskie to be considered an altruist?


14. What are some other motives that may lead someone to live the life of an altruist?


15. What’s the difference between egoism and selfishness?


16. In what situation would an egoist decide that a lie is morally wrong?


17. In the real world, is there any way to distinguish an enlightened egoist from a cause egoist?


18. What are some reasons someone may become a rational egoist?


19. What is theinvisible hand?