PHL 201 - ETHICS
FIRST MIDTERM STUDY GUIDE

This exam covers the material from Weeks 1-3 (Chapters 1-4 in the text): Basic Ethical Theories, Moral Relativism, Moral Skepticism and Divine Command Theory. It must be taken in the Instructional Testing Center in Center 311 or at the Cottage Grove or Florence Center or with approved proctor during the days indicated in the syllabus and in Moodle. See the syllabus for more details on exams.
To prepare, look over the chapters of the online text in Moodle, paying special attention to headings, any bolded names or key terms, the Powerpoint slides and your lecture notes. Review any other resources in the weekly outline in the covered weeks. A great way to prepare for the exam is to actually write out answers to the study questions below.

You will be allowed to use one 3 x 5 note card for the exam.

The instructor reserves the right to ask a question on any material in the weeks covered, even if it is not mentioned on this review.
Basic Ethical Theories (Ch. 1)

Define moral relativism, moral skepticism/nihilism and moral absolutism/universalism.
Which of the above general theories do the following more particular theories fall under, and how are each defined?
Moral Relativism (Ch. 2)

What are some of the similarities and differences Montaigne notes when comparing the cannibal culture with his own European culture?
How do these differences relate to our discussion of relativism?
How did the cannibals react to European culture when they visited?
According to the instructor, is Montaigne best interpreted as a relativist? Why or why not?
What is soft universalism, and how does it attempt to combine the intuitions behind absolutism and relativism?
 
How does Martin Luther King address relativism in his "Letter from a Birmingham Jail?"
What does King propose as an alternative to relativism?

What are some arguments in favor of cultural relativism?
What five objections to cultural relativism enumerated in the text?
Does cultural relativism logically imply that its adherents should practice tolerance? Why or why not?
How might one argue that relativism's emphasis on the value of tolerance is inconsistent with its overall philosophy?
What implications does cultural relativism have for the concept of human rights?
How does FGM highlight problems with cultural relativism?

What is subjectivism? What are some arguments for and against it? What is the only "sin" possible under subjectivism?
Moral Skepticism (Ch. 3)

What is the difference between an intrinsic and an extrinsic good? According to Glaucon, is justice intrinsically good for the individual? Why or why not? What is the point of Glaucon's telling the story of Gyges' ring? What is Socrates' response to Glaucon's argument? What are some other objections to Glaucon discussed in the lectures?

What is emotivism? What general category of ethics does it fall under? Who founded the theory and how does it interpret moral statements? How does emotivism help explain why almost everyone agrees on the basics of morality but people still differ in particulars? What key emotion does emotivism say is behind most moral judgments? Explain the statement, "You can't derive an 'ought' from an 'is'."
Divine Command Theory (Ch. 4)
 
What is Divine Command Theory? What are some criticisms of it discussed in the lectures?
What problems are there basing morality on the sacred texts of Judaism, Christianity or other world religions?
What is the Euthyphro dilemma and how does it present a problem for basing ethics on God?
Can you solve the dilemma by claiming that God is by good? Why or why not?
Some have suggested that the atheist or agnostic has no satisfactory answer to the "Why be moral?" question. What hidden assumption does this claim share with Glaucon? How might an atheist answer "Why be moral?"