Philosophy 302: Issues in Ethics, Summer 1995, M. Kagan, Instructor, Midterm Exam

The Purpose of this Exam

. . . the student will be asked to defend his or her own position concerning a moral problem discussed in class and a related philosophical issue covered before the exam (not necessarily the issue paired with that problem in class; e.g., on the final exam, the student might be asked to consider whether or not genetic engineering should be legal given the student's own views on the end of the law). ON THE MIDTERM AND FINAL EXAMS, an additional question will be asked concerning an issue raised by Monkey Sonatas. [See Syllabus.]

Exam Question #1 (50%)

Is civil disobedience ever right? If so, why and to what degree? If not, why not? Explain which theory of right and wrong makes sense of your position. Make sure to respond to the more obvious criticisms of your response and the theory on which it is based.

In your answer be sure to define "civil disobedience." Clearly state your own claim as to whether or not civil disobedience is ever right, and explain what theory of right and wrong supports your ability to make this claim. Then, briefly state a criticism of your own position (this criticism may be based on a different theory of right and wrong) and explain how you might respond to that criticism. The stronger and more challenging the objection, the better your grade. If you find yourself doing "too good a job" criticizing your own original position, explain why the criticism you have introduced has shaken your confidence in your original position or led you to change your mind.

Please limit yourself to about three bluebook pages.

Exam Question #2 (50%)
Answer one of the following. Briefly explain your reasoning. Please limit yourself to about three bluebook pages.

1. Was any of Christian Haroldsen's law-breaking an example of civil disobedience? Why or why not? What does this tell you about the adequacy of Wellman's definition of civil disobedience?

2. Was "Middle Woman" a morally good person? Which theory of moral value makes the most sense of your answer? How so? (Remember, MORAL value is the topic discusses in Chapter 6.)

3. Aristotle, saying, "one swallow does not make a spring, nor one fine day," argues that a human happiness, when found, is to be found in a complete life. Relating your discussion to the story, "The Best Day," explain what you think he should mean by "complete," and why.