Ethics Final Essay
Ethics Final Essay
Choose TWO of the following and write about 3 paragraphs each. do not write an
introduction or a conclusion for each essay.
each essay separate from the other.
text support isn't needed, but may help (ex. The Fundamentals of Ethics -Fluss Shafer-
Lahdau, The Most Good You Can Do - Peter Singer)
1. Compare and contrast utilitarianism and Kantianism on lying. What would
proponents of each theory say about lying? How do these theories align with the ideas
of Derek Harrison in "Lying to Mother Teresa"?
2. Discuss Aristotle‘s Golden Mean. Does it give a good road map for navigating
virtuous behavior? Why or why not?
3. What are the major problems with cultural relativism? Are there ways these
problems can be addressed? Why or why not?
4. Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote, "The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be
useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that
you have lived and lived well." Regarding this quote, what ethical theory do you think
Emerson might support? Why? What ethical theory do you think he might reject? Why?