Man as free being
Why do we need laws?
To protect the most vulnerable in society (like children, women, homosexuals, etc.).
What does Heidegger mean when he said we were thrown into the world?
That none of us chose to be born (or the circumstances of our birth).
What does Utilitarianism base its decisions on?
Utilitarianism bases decisions on the consequences of actions.
Where are categorical imperatives derived from?
Pure reason
In the Three Metamorphoses, what is being transformed?
the spirit
I cannot be good at math without an ability for abstract thinking, classes and practice because of this restriction to freedom.
Natural ability
Once thrown into the world, what are the things that do not depend on you? Give 5 examples.
Your genetic composition (color of your skin, any genetic diseases, your height, etc.). Your family. When and where you were born. The socioeconomic class you were born into and the comforts and opportunities that come with it. The society you were born into and how that limits (you cannot work on a foreign country without a permit) or helps you. Etcetera.
What does Deontology base its decisions on?
Deontology bases its decisions on principles such as "do no harm".
What is the universalizability principle?
Act only according to that maxim which you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law without contradiction.
What does the dragon represent in the Three Metamorphoses? What are the scales?
The dragon represents tradition and religion. The scales are the commandments and moral rules imposed by society.
What is the relationship between self-control and freedom? Give an example.
The more self control that you have, the freer you are. For example, if you control yourself and eat healthy you are in charge of yourself (you do not let your cravings control you).
If you want to go to college, what are the things you can control?
Go to high school, study, work hard and earn a diploma
Apply to college, study, pass the exam (if there is one)
Get enough money to pay for it or get a scholarship
There is a trolley going down the tracks with no brakes. There are 5 workers down the track and noone can warn them. You are on a bridge with a large man and if you push him you can stop the train and save the 5 workers. What should you do according to Utilitarianism? Why?
Save the 5 workers and sacrifice the large man because it bring the most happyness to the most people.
What is the formula of humanity?
Act so that you treat humanity, in your own person or in that of another, always as an end, and never as a mere means.
What does the transformation from camel to lion represent? And from lion to child?
At first our values are those taught to us, but we need to fight against indoctrination in order to be able to find our way. Once we question traditional values we can keep those that pass the test, and find the new values that will take us closer to being a "super man", or a sage.
What freedom did Frankl have when he was in a concentration camp? Explain. How can you apply it to your life?
The freedom to choose the attitude with which to face his fate. The freedom to find meaning even in the most absurd of circumstances.
You can choose the attitude with which you go to school.
If you want to go to college, what are the thing you cannot control?
The cost of college
Available scholarships (that you might be eligible for, and you might need to compete with others to get it)
How many places there are for what I want to study and how many other people want to go there (so I will have to compete with them to earn a spot)
The requisites for studying in that college (if you come from a certain high school you might pass directly, or the entry exam could be about knowledge or aptitud, they might ask for an essay, etc.)
An assasin shows up at Elvira's house asking for Tony because he claims he is going to murder him. He asks Elvira where he is and she lies saying he is not home. The assasin then leaves and Tony is saved. Did Elvira do the right thing according to Utilitarianism?
Yes because she saved Tony's life and nobody got hurt.
An assasin shows up at Elvira's house asking for Tony because he claims he is going to murder him. He asks Elvira where he is and she tells the truth saying he is in the kitchen. The assasin then goes to the kitchen and kills him. Did Elvira do the right thing according to Kantian Ethics?
Yes, she told the truth. The only one to blame for the tragedy is the hitman.
What is the difference between virtue ethics and the other two types of ethics we discussed: utilitarianism and Kantian Ethics (a type of deontology)?
That in utiliarianism and deontology we are guided by principles outside ourselves. In virtue ethics the focus is in becoming a better person, we are guided by values in ourselves.
If you want to be quarterback in your football team but decide not to train because you already are the best player in your team, not trainning is a use of your freedom or license? Explain.
License. When we make bad choices, we tend to blame others (How could I have known? The coach did not push me enough. I was too busy, etc.) You might think your choices don't hurt anyone, but you would be wrong. If you do not train you hurt your team by not being the best player you can be. Furthermore, someone else could come along and earn your spot on the team. That is why we should always try to make good choices. (You can quit the team if it is too much, or be your best version for the team. Both are acceptable. Not trainning and still wanting to be in the team is not the best choice for everyone invovled though.)
Explain Nietzsche's concept of the eternal return which we read from the Gay Science.
If you had to repeat your life over and over again for eternity without being able to change a thing, would you consider it heaven or hell? He believes we should live with no regrets, because even the bad things that happen to us make us who we are and we need to be fine with who and where we are each day. That's our job for the day.
An assasin shows up at Elvira's house asking for Tony because he claims he is going to murder him. He asks Elvira where he is and she tells the truth saying he is in the kitchen. The assasin then goes to the kitchen and kills him. Did Elvira do the right thing according to Utilitarianism?
No because Tony died which was not what resulted in the most happyness for most people.
An assasin shows up at Elvira's house asking for Tony because he claims he is going to murder him. He asks Elvira where he is and she lies saying he is not home. The assasin then leaves and Tony is saved. Did Elvira do the right thing according to Kantian Ethics?
No because she lied, even if Tony survived.
In Virtue Theory, you can pick and choose how to act according to your convenience. True or false? Why?
No, you should be guided by your conscience. Nietzsche says we like to think of ourselves as good, but we each have different characteristics, contexts, and roles to play. Still, these should be according to our idea of goodness, and not for what is easy or convenient. (The Road Less Traveled)