Professional Documents
Culture Documents
ITETHIC Requirements:
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The Copyright notice shall be in the form Philippine Copyright 2009
by Hikaru Otsuka
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Book Reviews on Contemporary Moral Problems
Seventh edition
Chapter One- Ethical Theories
Otsuka Hikaru
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share
Alike 3.0 Philippines License.
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ph/
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Table of Contents
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Otsuka Hikaru
ITETHIC
• Psychological egoism
• Ethical Egoism
Quote:
“The legend of Gyges is about a shepherd who was said to have found a magic ring in a
fissure opened by an earthquake. The ring would make its wearer invisible and thus would enable
him to go anywhere and do anything undetected. Gyges use the power of the ring to gain entry to
the Royal Palace where he seduced the Queen, murdered the King, and subsequently seized the
throne.”
Book Review:
The reading starts with this story, the legend of Gyges. It was about a shepherd who
found a ring. The powerful ring would make the wearer invisible. He used this opportunity to enter
the Palace. He killed the king and seduced the queen. He grabbed the king’s throne. Glaucon
says that no one its commonly believed that would have an iron strength of mind to stand fast in
doing right or keep his hands off other men’s good when he could go to a market place and grab
anything that he want with the powers of a God. This explains that all of us are believed to have
an ability to do wrong things if we are powerful. We will do anything that is pleasurable for us. If
we know that we can have anything that we want, surely, we will grab it. Of course it can make us
happy and it can make our life pleasurable. Glaucon also explains his skeptical views. These are
psychological egoism, which means men are all selfish in everything that they do and the only
motive from which anyone ever acts is self interest, and Ethical egoism, which means, a
normative view about how men ought to act. I think psychological egoism is more likely practiced
in our society today. All men are selfish. For example, we work hard to earn money. The money
that we earned is for our own pleasure. Nowadays, there are less people who share their blessing
with charities, and the like. It is because; we believe that what we earned is the fruit of our labor.
There are also arguments for psychological egoism. First is that people never volunteer
themselves unless they want to, and with unselfishness comes self satisfaction. Ethical egoism,
for me, means it is like a law on which how mean supposed to act. For example, when we saw
some one who’s dying and in pain, we should help him because the society tells us to do so.
Integrative Questions:
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5. Who is Gyges?
I have learned about psychological egoism and ethical egoism. These two are the skeptical views
suggested by Glaucon. I believed that of these two, psychological egoism can best describe most
people.
Review Questions:
1. Explain the legend of Gyges. What questions about morality and are raised by the story?
The legend of Gyges is about a shepherd who was said to have found a magic ring in a
fissure opened by an earthquake. The ring would make its wearer invisible and thus would
enable him to go anywhere and do anything undetected. Gyges use the power of the ring to
gain entry to the Royal Palace where he seduced the Queen, murdered the King, and
subsequently seized the throne.
A question about morality has been raised after the story. Assume that there were two
rings. The one who given to a man of virtue and the other one is given to a man of rouge. A
man of rouge will take advantage to the rings power. A man of virtue will also do the same.
“No one, it is commonly believed, would have such iron strength of mind as to stand fast in
doing right or keep his hands off other men’s good, when he could go to the market place and
fearlessly help him to anything he wanted with the powers of a god.”
Psychological egoism is the view that all men are selfish in everything that they do, that is
that the only motive from which anyone ever acts is self interest. Ethical egoism is a
normative view about how men ought to act.
3. Rachel discusses two arguments for psychological egoism. What are these arguments,
and how does he reply to them?
The first argument rests on the basis that people never voluntarily do anything except
what they want to. The second argument says that the unselfish actions always produce a
sense of satisfaction.
4. What three common place confusion does Rachels detect in the thesis of psychological
egoism?
The first is the confusion of selfishness with self interest. Second, the assumption that
every action is done either from self-interest or from other regarding motives. Third, the
common but false assumption that a concern for one’s own welfare is a incompatible with any
genuine concern for the welfare of others.
5. State the argument for saying that ethical egoism is inconsistent. Why doesn’t Rachels’
accept this argument?
Ethical egoism is a standard way of man obliged to act. According to ethical egoism, the
only person I need to think of is myself.
6. According to Rachels, why shouldn’t we hurt others, and why should we help others?
How can the egoist reply?
“Why shouldn’t you do actions that will harm others? Because, doing those actions will harm
others”. According to Rachels, the welfare of human beings is something that most of us
value for its own sake, and not merely for the sake of something else.
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The egoist doesn’t care about other people, whether he help or hurt others.
Discussion Questions:
1. Has Rachels answered the questions raised by Glaucon, namely, “Why be moral?” If so,
what exactly his answer?
2. Are genuine egoist rare, as Rachels claims? Is it a fact that most people care about
others, even people they don’t know?
Rachels claim that the genuine egoist is rare. Genuine egoist is the people who care for
others before themselves.
3. Suppose we define ethical altruism as the view that one should always act for the benefit
of others and never in one’s own self-interest. Is such a view immoral or not?
It is good to also think about others but to think about others before you is not right. It
is not immoral but I can say it’s unjustifiable.
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Otsuka Hikaru
ITETHIC
Quote:
“To have a moral code, then, is to tend to evaluate (perhaps without even expressing it)
the behavior of others and to feel guilt at certain actions when we perform them. Religion, on the
other hand, involves belief s in supernatural powers that are created and perhaps also control
nature, the tendency to worship and pray to those supernatural forces or beings, and the
presence of organizational structures and authoritative texts.”
Book review:
I believe that because of all the beliefs that we have, we got to know what is right and
wrong. Morality is about right deeds and wrong doings. But in the reading, it is said that religion is
not the base foundation of our moral beliefs. For me, religion may not be the center on how
morality evolves but religion plays a part. We believe that stealing and killing are immoral. These
two acts can harm and destroy others. Thou shall not steal and thou shall not kill are two
commandments of God. We know that this is immoral; these are violations of the moral law. I
believe that these two came from our religious beliefs. But man motives for doing the right thing
have nothing to do with religion. It is explained in the reading that if someone do good, it is
because he does not want to harm others, or does not want to embarrass his family and friends.
We need religion to act morally is said to be wrong. I think someway this is true. Most people are
not religious at all yet act morally. For example, if he does not pray the rosary and does not hear
the mass every Sunday, it doesn’t mean the he is immoral. Immoral acts are based on how
people react to his society. Like stealing, for example, there are people who listen to mass, pray
often, yet capable of stealing or doing wrong deeds.
Divine Command Theory is “claim that something is right because God wills it. It is shows
that morally right are determined by the will of the single supreme deity. “Arthur rejects it because
this theory says that all the things that God command are right, if it isn’t commanded by God,
therefore it is wrong. I believe that what God commanded is right for Catholics and for non-
Catholics, it may be wrong. For those who don’t believe in God, for pagans, may be the divine
command theory is some what irrelevant to them. It is because not all of us believes and listens
to the word of God. By not listening and believing is not an act of immorality. Catholicism is not
the only religion exist in the world. All of us have different beliefs.
Integrative Questions:
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3. Did Arthur reject this theory?
4. What is religion?
5. How religion does differ from morality?
Review Questions:
Morality is all about what is right from wrong. What actions that our society consider as
proper and etiquette. Religion, on the other hand, involves beliefs in supernatural powers, like
God.
When we do things properly, religion has nothing to do with it. We act based on our
instinct. For example, we don’t hurt others not because we’re scared that we might end up in hell
but because we know that it is wrong.
Religion, basically, teaches us what is right and wrong. I think religion is not necessary as
a source of moral knowledge because there are many religions in the world. What is right for the
Catholics may not be right for the Muslims. It became unnecessary because we all have different
beliefs. Moral knowledge comes from within.
4. What is divine command theory? Why does Arthur reject this theory?
According to divine command theory, religion is necessary for morality because without
God there could be no right and wrong.
Arthur rejects this theory because, as the definition above stated that God dictates us
what is right from wrong. But the expressions “commanded by God” and “morally required” do not
mean the same. If one thing is not commanded by God it does not automatically immoral.
In some way they are connected, but truly, morality and religion are independent from
each other.
6. Dewey says that morality is social, what does this mean according to Arthur?
• The existence of morality assumes that we posses a socially required language within
which we think about our choices and which alternatives we ought to follow.
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• Morality is social in that it governs relationships among people, defining our
responsibilities to others and theirs to us. Morality provides the standards we rely
on in gauging with family, lovers, friends, fellow citizens and even strangers.
• Morality is social in the sense that we are, in fact, subject to criticisms by others
of our actions. We discuss with others what we do, and often hear them
concerning whether our decisions were acceptable.
• Idea depends on appreciating the fact that to think from the moral view point.
Discussion Questions:
1. Has Arthur refuted the divine command theory? if not, how can it be defended?
Arthur is against the divine command theory. He explained what he think why he does not
support this theory.
2. If morality is social, as Dewey says, then how can we have any obligations to non human?
For me, animal is also a living thing that God created. We should respect the animals and also
their way of living.
3. What does Dewey mean by moral education? Does a college ethics class count as moral
education?
A moral education teaches us how to act morally in accordance to the common law. I think an
ethic class in considered as a moral education since it teaches us the morals of well human
being.
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Otsuka Hikaru
ITETHIC
• Will to power
• Nietzsche’s writings
Quote:
“Nietzsche argues that a healthy society should allow superior individuals to exercise “will
to power,” their drive toward domination and exploitation of the inferior. The superior person
follows a “master-morality” that emphasizes power, strength, egoism, and freedom, as
distinguished from a “slave-morality” that calls for weakness, submission, sympathy, and love.”
Book Review:
A master and slave morality, for me, is like of those Master and servants relationship. As
for the master, since he is the superior, he has the power to command task to the inferior ones. A
good or healthy society, as described by Nietzsche, should allow superior individuals to exercise
their will to power with the inferior. For me it means that a society to be healthy, the higher people
should practice and exercise their powers over the smaller people. I think an example if that of
the president over the country which he governed. A president is considered as the superior, he
has the right to command task and those who are inferior to him should follow. Exercising his
power or the “will to power” includes making decisions for his people. As the superior being, he
has the job or task to control his people and anything under his constitution. A healthy society can
be produced if the inferior ones allow the superior to handle or to command them.
Nietzsche’s only explained a healthy society with this master slave morality.
Exercising the will to power is a key to obtain one. I think all of us are entitled to our own opinion.
And as what I’ve read, his writings are not harmful and dangerous. Charges against him are not
justifiable because I think he just explained what he think and believe.
Integrative Questions:
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What I have learned:
I have learned about master- and slave- morality. For me, this master- slave relationship is not
immoral. I believe that it is a key in obtaining a healthy society. The superior ones has the
authority over the inferiors.
Review Questions
A good and healthy society can allow their superior to exercise their “will to power”, their
drive toward domination and exploitation of the inferior.
Injury, violence and exploitation, according to Nietzsche avoid us to experience the sense
of good conduct among individuals when there are necessary conditions given.
Master morality is the value creator. Slave morality illustrates the virtue of sympathy,
kindness and humility.
Will of Power is precisely the will to life. It can be achieved thru creative activity.
Discussion Questions
1. Some people view Nietzsche’s writings as harmful and even dangerous. For example, some
have charged Nietzsche with inspiring Nazism. Are these charges justified or not? Why or why
not?
Nietzsche’s only explained a healthy society with this master slave morality. Exercising
the will to power is a key to obtain one. I think all of us are entitled to our own opinion. And as
what I’ve read, his writings are not harmful and dangerous. Charges against him are not
justifiable because I think he just explained what he think and believe.
“What is injurious to me is injurious in itself; he knows that it is he himself only who confers honor
on things; he is a creator of values.”
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Otsuka Hikaru
ITETHIC
Learning Expectation:
• Moral isolationism
Quote:
“Tsujigiri, literally “crossroads cut.” A samurai sword had to tried out because, if it was to
work properly, it had to slice through someone at a single blow, from the shoulder to the opposite
flank. Otherwise, the warrior bungled his stroke. This could injure his honor offend his ancestors,
and even let down his emperor. So tests were needed, and the wayfarer had to be expended.
Any wayfarer would do- provided of course, that he was not another Samurai.”
Book Review:
Integrative Questions:
1. What is tsujigiri?
2. Do you think it is morally right?
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3. What is moral isolationism?
4. What is/are the basis of criticizing other cultures?
5. Is moral isolationism is a doctrine of immoralism?
I have learned about moral isolationism. Moral Isolationism means that we don’t know any culture
except our own. I believe that this statement is true. Most of us don’t care with other cultures.
When we heard something, we just react with the situation, without knowing if that certain thing
that happened is typical to them or not.
Review Questions
2. Explain the Japanese custom of tsujigiri. What questions does Midgley ask about this custom?
In others’ custom, they might think that it is brutal and unfair, but for the Japanese this is
right since it is their custom. Midgley asks do other people with different custom questions our
very own customs.
“People usually take it up because they think it is respectful attitude to other cultures. In fact,
however, it is not respectful.”
Moral isolationism stops us in criticizing others customs that might destroy the value of
morality, it is wrong because it defies or contrast the moral values we know and believe.
4. What does Midgley think is the basis for criticizing other cultures?
The basis to criticize other culture is to prove it that it destroys the general moral teachings. But in
order to make favorable judgment or criticism, we have to know enough.
Discussion Questions
1. Midgley says that Nietzsche is an immoralist. Is that an accurate and fair assessment of
Nietzsche? Why or why not?
No because all of us has a right to express what we think and believe in.
2. Do you agree with Midgley’s claim that the idea of separate and unmixed cultures is unreal?
Explain your answer.
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Otsuka Hikaru
ITETHIC
Learning Expectation:
Quote:
“By happiness is intended pleasure, and the absence of pain; by unhappiness, pain and
the privation of pleasure.”
“Principle of Utility or the Greatest Happiness Principle, says that the ultimate end, with reference
to and for the sake of which all other things are desirable, whether we are considering our own
good or that of other people, is an existence exempt as far as possible from pain, and as rich as
possible from enjoyments, both in point of quantity and quality.”
Book Review:
Utilitarianism, according to wikipedia, is the idea that the moral worth of an action is
determined solely by its contribution to overall utility: that is, its contribution to happiness or
pleasure as summed among all persons. The principle of utility or the greatest happiness
principle, for me, means that the greatest happiness must be considered first before you
acknowledge your own happiness. A utilitarian standard is not the agent’s own greatest
happiness, but the greatest happiness altogether. Like I said, we must first think if what we do
may make others happy before we consider ourselves.
There is also higher and lower pleasure, which is said to be the two kind of pleasure. The
definition depends on how you perceive happiness. For example, for me, I consider this thing as
the source of my higher pleasure, while the other thing is the source of my lower pleasure. Higher
pleasure for me may be the source of lower pleasure for others. It is said in the book that different
people may place a different value on pleasures based on how they perceive and experience
pleasure. “A being of higher faculties requires more to make him happy, is capable probably of
more acute suffering, and certainly accessible to it at more point than one of an inferior type.”
Integrative Questions:
1. What is Utilitarianism?
2. What is the Greatest Happiness Principle?
3. Is higher pleasure for me may be lower pleasure to others?
4. What is a utilitarian standard?
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5. What is the Principle of Utility?
Review Questions:
1. State and explain the Principle of Utility. Show how it could be used to justify actions that
are conventionally viewed as wrong, such as lying and stealing.
Principle of Utility or the Greatest Happiness Principle, says that the ultimate end, with
reference to and for the sake of which all other things are desirable, whether we are
considering our own good or that of other people, is an existence exempt as far as possible
from pain, and as rich as possible from enjoyments, both in point of quantity and quality.
Actions like stealing and lying are viewed as wrong, I think it is because that when you lie
or steal, it don’t bring happiness to us and to other people.
2. How does Mill reply to the objection that Epicureanism is a doctrine worthy only of a
swine?
Mill said that if the sources of pleasure of a human being and a swine are the same, the
rule of life which is good enough for the one would be good enough for the other. The
comparison of Epicurean life to that of the beasts is degrading because a beast’s definition of
pleasure is not the same as of human’s conception of happiness.
Different people may place a different value on pleasures based on how they perceive
and experience pleasure.
“A being of higher faculties requires more to make him happy, is capable probably of more
acute suffering, and certainly accessible to it at more point than one of an inferior type.”
A utilitarian standard is not the agent’s own greatest happiness, but the greatest happiness
altogether.
I think we should consider first the happiness of others, the greatest happiness, before
we think about our own happiness.
Discussion Questions:
1. Is happiness nothing more than pleasure, and the absence of pain? What do you think?
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2. Does Mill convinces you that the so-called higher pleasure are better than the lower
ones? What about the person of expirience who prefers the lower preasure over the
higher ones?
No. As what I've understand, higher pleasure for me may be lower pleasure for others. It
depends on out outlook in happiness.
3. Mill says, " In the golden rule of Jesus of Nazareth, we can read the complete spirit of the
ethics of utility." Is this true or not?
FALSE
4. Many commentators have thought Mill's proof of principle of utility is defective. Do you
agree? If so, then what mistakes does he make? Is there any way to reformulate the
proofs that it is not defective?
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Otsuka Hikaru
ITETHIC
• Act utilitarianism
• Rule Utilitarianism
Quote:
“Classical Utilitarianism, the theory defended by Bentham and Mill, can be summarized in three
propositions:
1. Actions are judged right or wrong solely in virtue of their consequences. Nothing else
matters. Right actions are, simply, those that have best consequences.
2. In assessing consequences, the only thing that matters is the amount of happiness or
unhappiness that caused. Everything else is irrelevant.
Book Review:
In assessing consequences, the only thing that matters is the amount of happiness or
unhappiness that caused. Everything else is irrelevant. Clearly, when we talk about utilitarianism,
happiness is the most important thing. Classical Utilitarianism is all about happiness, calculating
happiness, etc.
According to the Book, Hedonism is a perennially popular theory that goes back at least
as far as ancient Greeks. Hedonism is the belief of a something that if it is good then it will be
called, happiness but it misunderstands the meaning of happiness because happiness is not
something that is recognized as good and sought for its means of bringing it about. Instead,
happiness is a response as goods, independently and in their own right. Utilitarianism says that
right actions produce the most good. But is happiness the only thing matters? We know that
happiness is the ultimate good. According to utilitarianism, what is pleasurable for us is good and
what bring us pain is evil. For example, friendship, we think that friendship is a good thing and so
we make friends. Making and having friends makes us happy.
Rule Utilitarianism is actions conform in to the rules that will lead to greater good while an
Act Utilitarianism states that the right action is one that will give happiness to a person. Rule
utilitarianism focuses on the greatest number of happiness.
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Integrative Questions:
1. What is Rule Utilitarianism?
2. What is Act Utilitarianism?
3. What is Hedonism?
4. Do hedonism misunderstands the meaning of happiness?
5. Who defended the classical utilitarianism?
I have learned about Hedonism. Hedonism is said to misunderstand the meaning of happiness.
Maybe because when we talk about utilitarianism, all we hear is about happiness, for the greatest
happiness, etc.
Review Questions
1. Rachels says that classical utilitarianism can be summed up in three propositions. What are
they?
Classical Utilitarianism, the theory defended by Bentham and Mill, can be summarized in three
propositions:
5. In assessing consequences, the only thing that matters is the amount of happiness or
unhappiness that caused.
2. Explain the problem with hedonism. How do defenders of utilitarianism respond to this
problem?
Hedonism is a perennially popular theory that goes back at least as far as ancient
Greeks. Hedonism is the belief of a something that if it is good then it will be called, happiness but
it misunderstands the meaning of happiness because happiness is not something that is
recognized as good and sought for its means of bringing it about. Instead, happiness is a
response as goods, independently and in their own right.
Defenders of utilitarianism suggest that in order to over ride Hedonism, we must utilize
our resources and other good things in order for us to be happy.
The objection for justice is a fair judgment. The objection for rights is not valued
especially to racisms on a community, promises are be likely to be broken in promising a fair
judgment, and rights are valued.
4. Distinguish between rule- and act- utilitarianism. How does rule- utilitarianism reply to the
objections?
Rule Utilitarianism, the new version of Utilitarianism modifies the original theory, Act
utilitarianism, so that individual actions will no longer be judged by Principle of Utility. Instead,
rules will be established by reference to the rules.
Rule Utilitarianism is actions conform in to the rules that will lead to greater good.
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Act Utilitarianism states that the right action is one that will give happiness to a person.
Act-Utilitarianism
Discussion Questions
1. Smart’s defense of utilitarianism is to reject common moral beliefs when they conflict with
utilitarianism. Is this acceptable to you or not? Explain your answer.
3. Rachels claims that merit should be given moral consideration independent of utility. Do you
agree?
Yes.
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Otsuka Hikaru
ITETHIC
Learning Expectation:
• Good will
Quote:
“Kant believes that our moral duty can be formulated in one supreme rule, the categorical
imperative, from which all our duties can be derived, Although he says that there is just one rule,
he gives different versions of it, and two of them seem to be distinct, He arrives at the supreme
rule or rules by considering the nature of the good will and duty.”
Book Review:
Good will, for me, means the strength or the courage in doing the right things. It is your
clean purpose in anything that you do. According to the reading, intelligence, wit and like any
other talents are without a doubt good and desirable. But these can be also harmful and bad
when the will is not good. For example, if you are rich, surely, wealth and fame is a desirable
thing. If you use your money to harm other people, or if you use it for a bad purpose, the will is
not considered good. In other words, you did not properly use the gifts given to you. The book
also says that the Good will is not good because of what are the effects or accomplishments, but
because of its fitness in attaining some proposed end, it is good through its willing alone. It means
that the end justifies the mean. For me, we can understand this by this example: When a person
works hard so that he buy a house, by working hard he harm no people, I think we can consider
this as good will. The mean itself is considered good since he did not make any mistakes and did
not harm others when he was still in the process.
According to wikipedia, Kant says that human beings occupy a special place in creation,
and morality can be summed up in one ultimate commandment of reason, or imperative, from
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which all duties and obligations derive. He defined an imperative as any proposition that declares
a certain action to be necessary. The categorical imperative or the reading focuses on the maxim
or the universal law. For example, we don’t hurt others because we know that hurting others is
bad. Our reason is a universal law. Universal law is a common law that we are all aware of.
Integrative Questions:
I have learned about the Good will. All the things that we have, like wealth, wit, and the like, can
give us happiness, but these things can be also extremely bad if our will is not good. The
universal law is a law that we all know or common to us.
Review Questions:
“It is impossible to conceive anything at all in the world or even out if it, which can be taken as
good without qualification, except goodwill.”
Our action speaks for itself. Even if we don’t fulfill our mission, what we control is the will behind
our actions. The outcome or the result of our action is not the morality; rather the way we do it is
how we can measure morality.
Hypothetical imperative requires a certain action is a given situation. A categorical imperative you
should do what you must or need to do.
3. State the first formulation of the categorical imperative (using the notion of a universal law),
and explain how Kant uses this rule to derive some specific duties toward self and others.
"Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a
universal law."
The universal law serves the will as its principle.
4. State the second version of the categorical imperative (using the language of means and end)
and explain it.
Discussion Questions
1. Are the two versions of the categorical imperative just different expressions of one basic rule,
or are they two different rules? Defend your view.
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No, because it shares the same concept, the concept of good will.
2. Kant claims that an action that is not done from the motive of duty has no moral worth. Do you
agree or not? If not, give some counterexample.
No. It is common for us to do things that are not are duty and I believe that we don’t consider
these things immoral.
3. Some commentators think that the categorical imperative (particularly the first formulation) can
be used to justify no moral or immoral actions. Is this a good criticism?
Yes.
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Otsuka Hikaru
ITETHIC
Learning Expectation:
• Aristotelian Mean
Quote:
“Aristotle argues that all human beings seek happiness, and that happiness is not
pleasure, honor, or wealth, but an activity of the soul in accordance with virtue. Virtue is of two
kinds: moral and intellectual. Moral virtue comes from training and habit, and generally is a state
of character that is a mean between vices of excess and deficiency. For example, Aristotle
portrays the virtue of courage as a mean between the extremes of rashness, an excess, and
cowardice, a deficiency. Intellectual virtue produces the most perfect happiness and is found un
the activity od reason or contemplation.”
Book Review:
For Aristotle, happiness is an activity of the soul. Happiness is not measured because of
wealth, fame but rather happiness is living your life with virtue. For most of us, happiness means
living al life that is easy. By having money, and extravagant things, we can be happy. For
Aristotle, the definition of happiness does not depend on material things. Happiness depends on
self fulfillment and happiness in accordance with virtue. According to Aristotle, moral virtue comes
from training and habit, and generally is a state of character that is mean between the vices of
excess and deficiency. An example given in the reading is that the virtue of courage as a mean
between the extremes of rashness, an excess, and cowardice, a deficiency.
I remember one topic that we discussed that covers the Aristotelian Mean. It was about
Natalie Dylan, a girl who auctioned her virginity so that she can earn money for tuition. When you
study her situation, Natalie Dylan values her education. She pays a lot of attention with her
studies but due to lack of financial resources, she decided to sell her virginity online. The highest
bidder will have her virginity. Her sister went to a prostitution house for about 3 weeks so that she
could earn money for tuition also. I believe what they both did is for the sake of their education.
But when you apply the Aristotelian Mean, when you think about the extreme, Natalie will get a lot
of money but she will have to forsake her virginity. If she did not do it, she will not be able to
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continue her studies. When you consider the mean of the situation, she can continue her studies
without giving up her virginity by finding a decent job in a coffee shop, fast food restaurants, etc.
Integrative Questions:
Happiness is not all about material things. Happiness is all about self fulfillment for it is an activity
of the soul. Happiness should be in accordance with virtue.
Review Questions
“All human being seeks happiness, and happiness is not pleasure, honor or wealth, but an activity
of the soul in accordance with virtue.” According to Aristotle, happiness has a deeper meaning. It
is not just having a luxurious life but rather it is about self fulfillment. Happiness comes with virtue.
Virtue has two kinds: Moral and Intellectual. Moral virtue comes from training and habit while
intellectual virtue is found in the activity of reason and contemplation. Intellectual virtue is said to
be producing the most perfect happiness.
Moral virtue comes from training and habit, and generally is a state of character that is mean
between the vices of excess and deficiency. An example given in the reading is that the virtue of
courage as a mean between the extremes of rashness, an excess, and cowardice, a deficiency.
3. Is it possible for everyone in our society to be happy as Aristotle explains it? If not, who cannot
be happy?
Yes, it is possible for everyone to be happy. It depends on how a person defines happiness.
Some people believe that happiness is pleasure, wealth and honor, while others think that
happiness is self subsistent.
Discussion Questions
1. Aristotle characterizes a life of pleasure as suitable for beasts. But what, if anything, is wrong
with a life of pleasure?
Most men prefer a life suitable for the beast. The life of pleasure. For example, the life of money-
making. Wealth is evidently not the good we’re seeking because it is useless and it is for the sake
of something else.
27
2. Aristotle claims that the philosopher will be happier than anyone else. Why is this? Do you
agree or not?
“Happy man lives well and does well”. According to Aristotle, philosophers already practically
defined happiness as a sort of good life and good action.
I do not agree that philosophers will be happier than anyone else. For me, happiness depends on
what you believe in. If happiness for you means having an extravagant life, well that’s your
happiness. If you believe in other’s definition of happiness and it does not make you happy, so
why should you bother contemplating. Why don’t you just live your life the way you want it to be
and stick for what you believe in?
28
Otsuka Hikaru
ITETHIC
• Personal Desert
Quote:
“Feinberg wants to demonstrate that rights are morally important. To do this, he imagines
Nowheresville, a world like our own except that people do not have rights. As a result, people in
this world cannot make moral claims when they are treated unjustly. They cannot demand or
claim just treatment, and so they are deprived of self respect and human dignity.”
Book Review:
Personal Desert means when a person deserves something good from us what is meant in
parts is that there would be a certain proprietary in our giving that good thing to him in virtue of
the kind of person he is. According to Feinberg, deserving something good is not the same as
having a right to it. The doctrine of the logical correlativity of rights and duties says that all duties
entail other people’s right and all rights entail other’s people duty. The first part, all duties entail
other people’s right, Feinberg says that this doctrine is somewhat right and somewhat wrong. He
said that duty, from the root word due, is like a task. For example, payment of bills due date, etc.
Integrative Questions:
29
1. What is a personal desert?
2. Is right important?
3. What are the disadvantages of a world without rights?
4. What is the doctrine of logical correlativity of rights and duties?
5. What is Nowheresville?
I have learned about if our world is like Nowheresville, where there are no rights, we can’t make
any claims and we will be treated unjustly.
Review Questions:
Nowheresville is a world like our own except that people do not have rights. This world is
different from our world because we have rights, we can make moral claims and we are treated
equally.
2. Explain the doctrine of the logical correlativity of rights and duties. What is Feinberg’s
position on this doctrine?
3. How does Feinberg explain the concept of personal desert? How would personal desert
work in Nowheresville?
Personal Desert means when a person deserves something good from us what is meant in
parts is that there would be a certain proprietary in our giving that good thing to him in virtue of
the kind of person he is. According to Feinberg, deserving something good is not the same as
having a right to it. If a personal desert is been applied in Nowheresville, I think it would work in
some way. Since people have no rights there, when you do work for your master and your master
does not pay or reward you, you have no rights in asking for reward or payment.
4. Explain the notion of a sovereign right monopoly. How would this work in Nowheresville
according to Feinberg?
The sovereign has a certain duty to treat his subjects well, but this duty was owed not to the
subjects directly but to God, just as we might have duty to a person to treat his property well, but
of course no duty to the property itself but only to the owner.
“Introducing rights of a sort into Nowheresville, but they are not personal rights. The sovereign
has a monopoly on all rights.”
5. What are claim rights? Why does Feinberg think they are morally important?
30
Right is a kind of claim, and claim is an assertion of rights. I think it is morally important
because all of us have a right enables us to stand up like men, to look others in the eye, and to
feel some fundamental way the equal of anyone.
Discussion Question:
1. Does Feinberg make a convincing case for the importance of rights? Why or why not?
No.
31
Otsuka Hikaru
ITETHIC
Learning Expectation:
Quote:
“On Dworkin’s view, if a people have a right to do something, then it is wrong to interfere with
them. For example, if citizens have a right to free speech, then it is wrong for the government to
interfere with them the exercise of this right, unless this is necessary to protect other rights. This
notion of rights, Dworkin believes, rests on the Kantian idea of treating people with dignity as
members of the moral community, and also the idea of political equality.”
Dworkin: "Does a man ever have the right to break a law... in the strong sense, so that the
Government would do wrong to stop him, by arresting and prosecuting him?"
It is right for the government to stop you from yelling ‘fire’ in a crowded theatre, and it might be
argued that it is right to stop the Klan from burning a cross in a public space in front of someone’s
house. Why? "The government may override that right when necessary to protect the rights of
others." (Dworkin, 409)
Book Review:
Dworkin says if a man has a right to do something, you should not stop him. For
example, a man has a right to form an assembly; we should not interfere with him. It is his rights.
But if the man obstructs other rights, then it is the time you can stop him. If he joined rally, and
this rally violates the right of other people, you can prevent the man for exercising his right. I think
what the quote above tries to explain is that as a human being, we all have rights. We all have the
capability in exercising our rights. But we in doing so, we should not cause destruction to other
rights and harm with other people.
The second quote says if a man break a law, the government will stop him. The means
that the government will use to stop him may violate his right. If a man has been arrested, he can
no longer exercise all his right. Do we have a duty to follow the rules that the government set
upon us even though it overrun our rights? I think that it is our job, to follow what the government
says. If the laws are for the common good, we must follow it. But if we think that these laws that
the government imposed upon us can harm others and do no good, why should we follow? I
believe that the government has the right over us. But we still have rights as a human. We should
follow the rules set upon us because I think all of the rules that the government enforced are just
rules to protect other’s rights.
Integrative Questions:
1. Is right important?
32
2. Do we need to follow the government?
3. Is it wrong to stop others when they’re exercising their rights?
4. Dworkin believes in what idea?
5. You can stop people who exercise their rights when..?
As a human being, we all have rights. We can exercise our rights anytime but we need to
consider that when exercising our rights we should not violate other rights.
Review Questions:
1. What does Dworkin mean by rights in the strong sense? What rights in this sense are
protected by the USA Constitution?
“If a people have the right to do something, then it is wrong to interfere with them.”
For example, we have right to speech, right to form association, etc. We can exercise our human
rights and the government won’t interfere with us except if we violate other rights.
The American provides a set of individual legal rights in the First Amendment, and due process,
equal protection, and similar clauses.
2. Distinguish between legal and moral rights. Give some examples of legal rights that are not
moral rights, and moral rights that are not legal rights.
Legal right is the right of a citizen protected by a constitution. Moral right is right of a
person according to his morality and conscience. Not all legal rights, or even constitutional rights,
represent moral rights against the government.
An example that I can give is abortion. In some countries like China, I think, abortion is legal, but
morally speaking, abortion is wrong. Euthanasia or mercy killing is legally acceptable by the
society but still immoral for others.
3. What are the two models of how a government might define the rights of its citizens? Which
does Dworkin find more attractive?
• The first model recommends striking a balance between rights of the individual and the
demands of society
• The second one is that the government inflates a right.
Dworkin finds the second model more attractive because the first one is false in a sense that
the right is important but unfortunately not.
4. According to Dworkin, what two important ideas are behind the institution of rights?
Discussion Questions
1. Does a person have the right to break the law? Why or why not?
33
Yes.
3. Do you think that Kant would accept rights in the strong sense or not?
No.
34
Otsuka Hikaru
ITETHIC
• Principles of Justice
Quote:
“Rawls’s theory states that there are two principles of justice: The first principle involves equal
basic liberties, and the second principle concerns the arrangement of social and economic
inequalities. According to Rawls’s theory, these are the principles that free and rational persons
would accept in a hypothetical original position where there is a veil of ignorance hiding from the
contractors all the particular facts about themselves. ”
“Each person is to have an equal right to the most extensive basic liberty compatible with a
similar liberty for others.”
“Social and economic inequalities are to be arranged so that they are both:
• Reasonably expected to be to everyone’s advantage
• Attached to positions and offices open to all.”
Book Review:
According to the book, no one in the society know his place and does not know his
fortune in the distribution of the natural assets, abilities, etc. I think it says that all of us have no
idea who we really are, what is our status or position in the world we live in. Because of this, no
one has the advantage over the other. When we think that most of us are unaware on whom we
really are, then no one can lead us and force us to do something.
The first principle of justice: Each person is to have an equal right to the most extensive
basic liberty compatible with a similar liberty for others. It means that whatever we are
experiencing must be experience with others. When we are indulging ourselves because of
freedom, other people must also indulge themselves. We are all equal. We have equal right in the
most basic and the most crucial controversies. The second principle state that the distribution of
wealth should be of everyone’s advantage, wealth in a sense of natural wealth, I think.
Integrative Questions:
35
I have learned about the principle of justice. All of us are equal, we should be treated equally.
What I have must be what others have.
Review Questions:
3. State and Explain the second principle. Which principle has priority such that it cannot be
sacrificed?
Social and economic inequalities are to be arranged so that they are both:
• Reasonably expected to be to everyone’s advantage
• Attached to positions and offices open to all.
The first and second principle should be arranged in order. “This ordering means that a departure
from the institutions of equal liberty required by the first principle can not be justified by greater
and economic advantage.”
Discussion Questions:
1. On the first principle, each person has an equal right to the most extensive basic
liberty as long as this does not interfere with a similar liberty for others. What
does this allow people to do? Does it mean, for example, that people have right
to engage in homosexual activities as long as they don’t interfere with others?
Can people produce and view pornography if it does not restrict anyone’s
freedom? Are people allowed to take drugs in the privacy of their homes?
In a way I think, we can exercise the equality of our right. By having an equal right does not mean
that we should take advantage. We should also watch our actions.
2. Is it possible for free and rational persons in the original position to agree upon
different principles than give by Rawls? For example, why wouldn’t they agree to
an equal distribution of wealth and income rather than an unequal distribution?
That is, why wouldn’t they adopt socialism rather than capitalism? Isn’t socialism
just as rational as capitalism?
Yes.
36
Otsuka Hikaru
ITETHIC
Learning Expectation:
• Care perspective
• Kohlberg’s theory
Quote:
“Gilligan wants still wants to claim that women are most unlikely to take only the justice
perspective, as some men are claimed to, at least until some mid-life crisis jolts them into “bifocal”
moral vision. Gilligan in her book did not offer any explanatory theory of why there should be any
difference between female and male moral outlook, but she did tend link naturalness to women of
the care perspective with their role as the primary caretakers of young children, that is with their
parental and specifically maternal role.”
Book Review:
Most men claimed to be of care perspective. For me, men should be classified as justice
perspective. Care perspective, as the quote stated above, for woman, suits a woman. It comes
with naturalness, a woman is the one who take care of an infant, raise a child, and discipline a
person. There are things with this naturalness that only woman can do. Gilligan’s position is said
to be contrasting Kohlberg’s idea.
There are questions are raised in the book. These are: Is justice blind to important social
values, or at least one eyed? What is it that comes into view from care perspective that is not
seen in justice perspective? I believe that we used to look at justice as blind or one eyed since as
a female, we think that justice is always at men’s side. In differentiating justice and care
perspective, care perspective according to wikipedia focuses on people in terms of their
connectedness with others. I think this is why Gilligan says that women, more than men, are of
care perspective. Since connectedness is concern, naturalness comes hand in hand. For me,
woman is more understanding or open minded in any relationship.
Kohlberg’s theory was grouped into three levels: pre-conventional, conventional, and
post-conventional. According to the book, Kohlberg’s version of moral maturity aspect for person
and for their rights as equals did not shared by many men, and the women most likely to speak
with different voice. I think it is because how men’s outlook or perspective is different from
woman.
Integrative Questions:
37
4. What is justice perspective?
5. Are justice considered as blind and one eyed?
According to Gilligan, women should claim themselves as of care perspective. Care perspective
comes with naturalness, which means since women are the ultimate caretakers, women should
be also of care perspective.
Review Questions:
1. Distinguish between the justice and care perspective. According to Gilligan, how do these
perspectives develop?
In the book, Gilligan claims that woman are most unlikely to take only justice perspective,
since the care perspective is a women’s natural role as the primary caretakers of young
children.
2. Explain Kohlberg’s theory of moral development. What criticisms do Gilligan and Baier
make of this theory?
Kohlberg’s version of moral maturity did not seem shared by many young men.
3. Baier says there are three important differences between Kantian liberals and their critics.
What are these differences?
4. Why does Baier attack the Kantian view that the reason should control unruly passions?
Because she said that we should never forget the facts of history.
Discussion Questions:
1. What does Baier mean when she speaks of the need “to transvalue the values of our
patriarchal past”? Do new values replace the old ones? If so, then do we abandon the old
values of justice, freedom, and right?
To transvalue means improving our values. I think new values does not replace the old
ones, the new values are just the improved versions.
2. What is wrong with the Kantian view that extends equal rights to all rational beings,
including women and minorities? What would Baier say? What do you think?
38
3. Baier seems to reject the Kantian emphasis on freedom of choice. Granted, we do not
choose our parent, but still don’t we have freedom of choice about many things, and isn’t
this very important?
39
EXISTING USE CASE DIAGRAM,
ACTIVITY DIAGRAM, and USE CASE
NARRATIVE
40
Process Application Form
Submit Book
Copyright
Secretary
Student/Customer
Registration, validation of
Application Form and
Book
Issue receipt
Accounting
Process Payment
Issue Stamps
Staff
Handle Accounts
41
Student Copyright Secretary Accounting Staff
start
Process
Application Validate
and
Requirements
Invalid
Submit Valid
Book
Issue
Payment Slip
Receive
Payment Slip
Receive
Payment
End
42
Use Case Narrative
Identification Summary
Flow of events
Preconditions:
1. The student should have a complete application form.
2. The affidavit should be notarized.
3. The book should be complete.
Alternative Sequences
n/a
Error Sequences:
1. Incomplete Application Form
2. Affidavit is not notarized.
3. Incomplete book requirements.
Post Condition
1. The copyright secretary will issue a claimant form that means you can
claim your copyrighted book in a month.
43
PROPOSED USE CASE DIAGRAM,
ACTIVITY DIAGRAM, and USE CASE
NARRATIVE
44
Application and
Registration
online
LOGIN
customers <<includes>>
<<system>>
Submit book in
PDF Format
<<includes>>
Validation and
Confirmation
Encode Payment
Details of
Applicants
Issue confirmation
number
<<includes>>
45
Customer System
start
Login
No account
Register
Check status
Enter Account
No. and Check validity
of input X
Password
wrong
Send an error
message
Access own
Account Display account
information
46
Customer System
X
Submit Book
in PDF format
No account
Validate Submitted
Requirements
invalid
valid
Accept Payment
end
47
Use Case Narrative
Identification Summary
Flow of events
Preconditions:
4. The student should fill up the registration online.
5. The book should be in PDF format.
6. The student should have credit card/paypal account.
Alternative Sequences
1. Incomplete registration
Error Sequences:
1. The book is not in PDF format
2. No credit card/paypal account
Post Condition
1. The system will produce a confirmation number after payment that serves
as claim slip and receipt.
48