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 between during the days and times indicated in the syllabus and in Moodle. See the syllabus for more details on testing.

To prepare for the exam, look over the chapters of the text in Moodle (especially bolded names, concepts and terms), whiteboard notes and Powerpoints from the recordings plus any notes you may have made yourself. Check that you understand and can answer the questions in the forum prompts, even the topics to which you didn't reply. Review any other resources in the weekly outline in the covered weeks. Make sure sure you can answer the questions below. You may be asked to identify representative quotations from the various authors we've read. A great way to prepare for the exam is to actually write out answers to these study questions.

Note: The instructor reserves the right to ask a question on any material from these sources, even if it's 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 does this relate to our discussion of relativism?
How did the cannibals react to European culture when the visited?
According to the instructor, is Montaigne best interpreted as a relativist? Why or why not?

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 soft universalism, and how does it attempt to combine the intuitions behind absolutism and 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'/Plato's response to Glaucon's argument? What are some other objections discussed in class or the podcasts?

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 podcasts or forum prompts?
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?"