Introduction to Philosophy

1. Explain moral relativism. Is there a necessary connection between tolerance and relativism? Why or why not?
2. Explain moral universalism. Explain moral absolutism. How do these two approaches to ethics differ?
3. Explain consequentialism. How is utilitarianism an example of consequentialism?
4. State and explain the principle of utility, as Mill describes it.
5. Explain the difference, according to Mill, between investigating science and investigating morality.
6. How does Mill respond to the objection that utilitarianism makes people out to be no better than swine?
7. Mill imagines an objector claiming that men live without happiness all the time. Why is this an objection to utilitarianism? How does Mill respond?
8. State and explain rule utilitarianism. What is the difference between rule utilitarianism and act utilitarianism? What problem is rule utilitarianism supposed to solve?
9. Mill discusses both external and internal sanctions for the principle of utility. Briefly discuss both types of sanctions. Which of these types of sanctions seems to be more important, according to Mill?
10. Why does Mill think that utilitarianism fits well with human nature?
11. What proof does Mill give for the principle of utility? Explain the problem raised in class for this proof.
12. Mill agrees that some people desire virtue for its own sake. How does he reconcile this with his claim that happiness is the only thing people desire for its own sake?
13. What is the naturalistic fallacy? Give an example that illustrates why this isn't a good way to reason.
14. What is the problem for utilitarianism if justice is something inherent in things separate from utility?
15. What is justice, according to Mill? What is the primary difference between justice and other moral obligations such as generosity and beneficence?
16. The sentiment of justice has two parts, according to Mill. Part of it is moral, and part of it is not. Which part is moral and which is not?
17. Explain a problem (that we considered in class) with any theory which makes morality depend upon the consequences of actions. Do you think utilitarianism can deal with this problem? If so, how? If not, why not?
18. George Will says that Peter Singer believes that "pushpin [a simple game] is as good as poetry" as far as pleasures are concerned. Whether or not Singer believes this, what would Mill say about this charge against utilitarianism? Is Will right that utilitarianism sucks out "the juice of life that human beings seek in poetry or religion . . ."?
19. George Will paints a picture of utilitarianism that makes it sound cold and far too tidy when he explains Singer's utilitarian argument that it is acceptable to euthanize a severely disabled infant. How might a utilitarian, taking his or her cues from Mill, defend the decision not to terminate the life of a severely disabled infant?
20. What is one situation where you think the end justifies the means? Is there any situation where you think the end, no matter how noble, would not justify the means? (In other words, what is one situation where doing what is right does not lead to the "best" consequence, in your mind.) If you cannot think of an example for one of these, what does that imply about utilitarianism? If you can think of an example of both of these, what does that imply about utilitarianism?

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Last updated: November 28, 2000
URL:http://web.mnstate.edu/mouch/101/millrev.html