Question: In response to one of the (sets of) questions below, you are to write a three or four page dialogue. The paper will be assessed based on four criteria: writing, reasoning, clarity, and originality.
Writing: Is the writing appropriate for a college course (no spelling, punc- tuation or grammatical errors, the paper exhibits a clear structure, etc.)?
Reasoning: Are there any obvious reasoning errors?
Clarity: Are the ideas clearly presented? Is it obvious what the conclusion is, and what the arguments for it are?
Originality: Are the ideas presented the author's own (are they presented in the author's own words)? How original are the criticisms leveled by the "opponent" of the author's views?
1. Mill claims that the Greatest Happiness Principle articulates what is for an action to be right or wrong. Is he right about that? Why or why not?
2. Mill maintains that there is to tell whether one pleasure is of a higher quality than another, one should use the competent judge test. Does this test really get at which pleasures are of a higher quality? Why or why not?
3. Kant thinks that acting out of a good will is essential for one's actions to count as one's having done the right thing. Is he right about that? Why or why not?
4. Maller thinks that tipping is not morally required. Is he right about that? Why or why not?
5. Philips and Benatar offer accounts of what it is for a bit of humor to be racist. Is their account correct? Why or why not?
6. Brock and Callahan disagree about whether there is a distinction be- tween killing and letting die. Who is right about that? Why or why not?
7. Brandt thinks that sometimes suicide is morally excusable. Is he right about that? Why or why not?
Article: 1. Racist Acts and Racist Humor(By Michael Philips)
2. The Moral Reasons For and Against Suicide