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April 27, 2007
Paper Deadline: Maximizing Happiness
In my never-ending attempts to maximize your happiness, I've moved back the paper deadline to Thursday, May 3, 2007.
If you don't know what I'm talking about, then you might want to download the paper topic here.
Come to class Tuesday with questions about the topic.
Have a happy weekend.
Posted by seschmid at 06:35 AM
April 26, 2007
Presentation #10: Torture
Torture: The act of inflicting excruciating pain, as punishment or revenge, as a means of getting a confession or information, or for sheer cruelty.
1. Is torture permissible in pursuit of justice?
2. In cases of terrorism, is torture justified?
3. What would a utilitarian say about torture? Kant?
4. What would Schmid do? (aka WWSD)
5. Based on your own religious beliefs, if any, what do you think about torture?
Posted by seschmid at 05:29 PM | Comments (22)
April 21, 2007
Presentation #9: Euthanasia
Voluntary euthanasia occurs when a competent person makes a voluntary request to be helped to end his/her life, in those cases where they are terminally ill or injured and suffering in pain and will die.
1. Is voluntary euthanasia moral or immoral?
2. Do you think it should be legal?
3. Should a physician assist a person in ending his/her life at his/her request?
4. Should religion have any significance in the legal or moral reasoning in deciding to end one's life?
Posted by seschmid at 06:50 AM | Comments (20)
April 12, 2007
Presentation #8: Immigration
1) Do we, as moral agents, have a duty to one another; a duty to help those who are less fortunate? If we do, what are the limitations of this duty? In other words, do we have a duty to help all other people regardless of political affiliation?
2) Do you think that allowing immigrants into a country dilutes that county’s economy or culture? Or, is incorporating other cultures into your own a positive thing?
3) When faced with immigration in general, a nation must choose one of three possible courses of action: unregulated immigration, immigration regulated by quota or individual merit, or not allowing foreign nationals in at all. Which option is the most ethical? Which one would a utilitarian pick? Or Kant?
Posted by seschmid at 06:11 AM | Comments (26)
April 06, 2007
Presentation #7: Gay Marriage
1. Should homosexual couples get the same benefits as heterosexual couples? Why?
2. Do you believe same sex marriages are morally wrong? Why?
3. Do you think states should be able to make same sex marriage illegal?
4. Do you think people are born homosexual?
5. Would a Christian God punish a person for being homosexual?
Posted by seschmid at 10:56 AM | Comments (23)