Topics for Final Paper
A Philosophical Analysis
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Select one of the following:
1. Explain the theory of justice according to John Rawls. Do you agree or disagree? Elaborate.
2. Explain why both John Stuart Mill and Epicurus may be labeled Hedonists. How are their philosophical positions alike and how do they differ. Do you agree with either, both, or neither
3. Some people assert that Thomas Hobbs is heavily influenced by Christian philosophy. Analyze Hobbs' philosophy, as you understand it, and either support or dispute this assertion.
4. At times Plato seems to imply ethical truths may be discovered by rational introspection, but in the Republic he seems to be proposing something entirely different for the majority of people. Describe how the majority would establish/discover ethical truths in Plato's Republic. Do you agree with this position? Explain.
5. Discuss absolutism versus relativism in an ethical context. Is morality cultural? Are some values universal?
6. David Hume challenged the premise of morality based upon reason. What is his argument against this position? What does he propose in its place? Do you agree or disagree? Explain.
7. Explain why both Immanuel Kant and John Stuart Mill might be described as "philosophers for the common person? (Hint: contrast to Greek philosophy.)
8. John Rawls espouses a position which conflicts dramatically with Utilitarianism. Describe this conflict and explain whether you agree or disagree.
9. Compare and contrast Immanuel Kant's Categorical Imperative with Jean-Paul Sartre's contention that we are not only responsible for ourselves, but for all humankind. (Hint: somewhere there should be mention of a priori.)
10. Which is of most worth, character or actions? This can be presented in a philosophical discussion, an environmental discussion, a just discussion, or similar areas.
11. Trace the concept of "power" in both Thomas Hobbs' philosophy and Friedreich Nietzsche. How are these concepts alike and how do they differ?
12. In
classical Hindu, as practiced in
13. In The Virtue of Selfishness, Ayn Rand defines a philosophy which she labels "Objectivism." Define objectivism. How is this different from hedonism? Do you agree with this philosophy? Explain.
14. Analyze the following "prisoner's dilemma." The police in another country arrest two spies. Both know if they adhere to their previous agreement to each other to keep silent if captured, the police will only be able to hold them for four months. Then they must be released under the laws of that country. If they each violate their agreement and confess they are spies, they will each be sentenced to six years in prison. If one confesses and the other does not, the one who does not will be sentenced to nine years and the one who violates the agreement and confesses will be freed immediately.
How does this relate to morality and rational self-interest in our society?
15. Using Machiavelli and Immanuel Kant as a basis, distinguish between the value or wisdom of appearances versus reality.
16. In Buddhism one can seek moral or ethical ideal by following the "Nobel Eightfold Path.: Related the Noble Eightfold Path to the "Four Nobel Truths," and explain the significance of the order of the Eightfold Path in moral development.
17. Soren Kierkegaard is critical of rationalism and "choosing for all mankind." (In the following passage, when he refers to speculative philosophers, he is referencing this aspect of rationalism.) He writes, "Being an individual man is a thing that has been abolished, and every speculative philosopher confuses himself with humanity at large; whereby he becomes something infinitely great, and at the same time nothing at all." Using his philosophy and writing, explain what he means by this and why he is critical of such a position.
18. How can a person avoid choices and decisions? Is it possible to live a non-moral or amoral life without decisions? What would provide direction for conduct in this type of life? (You may wish to use an existentialist on this one.)
19. Should we expect others to share our values and beliefs? Should we have any "right" to impose our value system on others? (Either use or contrast an existentialist.)
20. Aristotle's four "cardinal virtues" include: temperance, prudence, courage, wisdom. How would these virtues fit with Carol Gilligan's ethic of care and relationships?