PHIL 205 Final Exam Review: Key Topics and Arguments

What is Timmerman's argument regarding monuments that harm groups?

If a monument harms a group, it should be removed.

What are the two groups harmed by public Confederate monuments according to Timmerman?

1. Individuals who recognize the racist motivations behind the monuments. 2. Individuals who experience distress from reminders of the Civil War's horrors and America's racist history.

What moral obligation does Timmerman assert regarding the removal of certain monuments?

If there is a strong moral reason to remove certain monuments, then there is a moral obligation to remove them unless stronger countervailing reasons exist.

What does Timmerman argue about the preservation of public Confederate monuments?

There are no countervailing reasons to preserve them that outweigh the moral reasons for their removal.

How does Timmerman respond to the objection that removing monuments erases history?

He suggests relocating monuments to museums or historical contexts for education without the honorific implications of public displays.

What is the significance of monuments in public spaces according to Timmerman?

Monuments in public spaces are inherently honorable, making their presence inappropriate if they commemorate morally reprehensible figures.

What is Morris' argument regarding Native American mascots?

Morris argues that Native American mascots, even if approved by some Indigenous groups, often rely on reductive and stereotypical portrayals that reinforce misconceptions about Native cultures.

What does Morris emphasize about the change regarding Native American mascots?

He emphasizes the moral imperative to move away from these mascots due to harmful stereotypes, advocating for change driven by ethical reflection and societal consensus rather than legal mandates.

What are the problems with the usual definitions of cheating in sport?

Not all rule violations are treated as cheating; some are considered part of the game, like fouling in basketball or offsides in soccer.

What challenge does intent present in determining cheating in sports?

Determining intent is difficult, as players may accidentally break rules or push boundaries without intending to deceive.

Can one cheat without intending to?

This question highlights the complexity of defining cheating, as it raises the possibility of unintentional rule violations.

What is the main focus of the longer essay section of the exam?

The essay will relate to Thomson's 'A Defense of Abortion'.

What does Timmerman argue about the aesthetic or historical value of Confederate monuments?

He argues that any aesthetic or historical value does not outweigh the moral imperative to prevent harm to individuals.

What is the stance of Morris regarding free speech in relation to Native American mascots?

Morris does not want to limit free speech; he advocates for ethical reflection and societal consensus instead.

What is the implication of Timmerman's 'Comet example'?

It illustrates the idea of relocating monuments to avoid harm, suggesting that they can be moved away from public honorific spaces.

What does Timmerman mean by 'obligated by own violation to remove'?

He suggests that if a monument is morally objectionable, there is an obligation to remove it due to the harm it causes.

What is the significance of the phrase 'remove em bitch' in Timmerman's argument?

It emphasizes the urgency and moral imperative to remove harmful monuments.

How does Morris view the approval of mascots by certain Indigenous groups?

He believes that such approval does not negate the harmful stereotypes perpetuated by the mascots.

What does Timmerman argue about the honorific implications of public displays of monuments?

He asserts that public displays inherently carry honorific implications, making them inappropriate for figures associated with morally reprehensible causes.

What is the overall theme of the topics covered in the PHIL 205 final exam review?

The review covers ethical considerations in symbolism, representation, and the implications of sportsmanship and cheating.

What is the distinction between gamesmanship and cheating?

Gamesmanship includes actions like trash talk or faking injuries that may not technically violate rules but exploit loopholes, challenging the notion that cheating is solely about rule-breaking.

How does Leaman view the definition of cheating?

Leaman argues that cheating cannot be easily defined and should be viewed in moral terms, suggesting that breaking rules can be exciting and innovative if it doesn't ruin the game.

What is the moral implication of cheating in sports according to Leaman?

Cheating can make the game more exciting and may be praiseworthy if it enhances the experience without completely undermining the game.

What is Norcross' 'Fred' analogy meant to illustrate?

The analogy illustrates the moral issues surrounding animal suffering in factory farming by comparing it to a man torturing puppies for personal pleasure, questioning the ethics of causing suffering for taste.

What is the main argument regarding marginal cases in Norcross' analysis?

Norcross argues that if we wouldn't treat human marginal cases (like infants or disabled individuals) the same way we treat animals in factory farming, we should reconsider the moral justification of causing animal suffering for food.

What is the key principle of utilitarianism according to Regan's analysis of zoos?

The key principle is to maximize the good for the most people, weighing the negative consequences for animals against the benefits humans derive from zoos.

What does a utilitarian perspective suggest about the moral status of zoos?

From a utilitarian perspective, the suffering of animals in zoos often outweighs the entertainment or educational benefits for humans, suggesting that zoos may be morally indefensible.

What is the key principle of Kantian ethics in relation to animals?

Kantian ethics emphasizes treating rational beings as ends in themselves, not merely as means to an end, which implies a moral duty of kindness and respect towards animals.

How does Regan's analysis combine utilitarian and Kantian perspectives on zoos?

Regan concludes that both perspectives raise significant concerns about zoos: utilitarianism highlights the harm to animals, while Kantian ethics emphasizes the lack of respect and dignity afforded to them.

What conclusion does Regan reach about the moral permissibility of zoos?

Regan concludes that zoos, as they are typically practiced, are morally unjustifiable due to the harm inflicted on animals and the failure to treat them with respect.

What ethical dilemma arises when considering species in ethical frameworks?

The tension between focusing on individual animals versus the collective well-being of a species.

What is the ethical question regarding breeding species in captivity?

Whether it is justified to harm individuals for the greater good of species survival.

What ethical dilemma is presented when managing invasive species?

Whether to protect the larger ecosystem by removing invasive species or to consider the ethical implications of killing individual animals.

What is Thomson's 'extreme view' on abortion?

Abortion is always morally impermissible, even to save the life of the pregnant person.

What analogy does Thomson use with Henry Fonda to illustrate her argument?

Even if the fetus has a right to life, it does not have the right to use the pregnant person's body to stay alive, similar to how Henry Fonda is not obligated to save someone with his touch.

What does the violinist analogy represent in Thomson's argument?

The right to life does not equate to the right to use someone else's body, emphasizing that consent matters.

How does Thomson's 'rapidly growing baby' analogy relate to self-defense?

A pregnant woman can act in self-defense if the fetus poses a threat to her life, even if that results in the fetus's death.

What is Thomson's stance on third-party involvement in abortion?

She argues that a third party, like a doctor, is morally permitted to help the woman if it protects her from harm.

What is the main argument of the 'people seeds' analogy?

Consensual sex does not imply consent to pregnancy, especially if precautions were taken, similar to how opening a window with a screen does not mean consent to a person-seed growing inside.

What does Thomson suggest about moral versus legal duty in her arguments?

It may be kind to stay connected to the fetus, but it is not a moral or legal obligation.

What does Thomson argue about the moral justification of self-defense in pregnancy?

Intervening to protect oneself, even if it results in the death of the fetus, is morally justified.

What is the significance of bodily autonomy in the context of abortion?

Bodily autonomy matters because it emphasizes that even if a fetus has a right to life, it does not have the right to use a person's body without permission.

What moral intuition does Thomson's analogy appeal to regarding bodily autonomy?

Thomson's analogy suggests that most people agree you are not morally obligated to let a stranger grow in your living room just because they entered by accident.

What distinguishes a Minimally Decent Samaritan from a Good Samaritan?

A Minimally Decent Samaritan does the bare minimum expected morally, like calling an ambulance, while a Good Samaritan goes above and beyond, such as providing personal care.

How does pregnancy relate to the concept of the Good Samaritan?

Expecting someone to carry a pregnancy to term, especially if unchosen, requires enormous sacrifices, akin to expecting someone to act as a Good Samaritan.

What is Singer's argument about moral responsibility and distance?

Singer argues that physical distance does not lessen our moral obligations; suffering in another country is just as significant as suffering nearby.

What is the Pond Analogy in Singer's argument?

The Pond Analogy illustrates that if you would save a drowning child nearby at minor cost, you should also be willing to donate to save lives in distant countries.

How does Singer challenge the view of charity in relation to famine relief?

Singer argues that failing to donate to effective aid organizations when able is morally wrong, not merely a missed charitable opportunity.

What does Singer suggest about the extent of our giving?

According to Singer, we should continue giving until it causes us as much harm as it relieves, indicating a highly demanding moral obligation.

What is an objection to Singer's view regarding teaching skills instead of giving money?

One objection is that teaching a man to fish could be more beneficial than simply giving money, as it may reduce suffering more effectively.

What is the utilitarian perspective on helping others according to objections to Singer's view?

The utilitarian perspective suggests that investing resources might help more people in the long run than providing immediate assistance.

What are some concerns about the demands of Singer's moral obligations?

Concerns include the awareness of good organizations, the time investment required, and feelings of entitlement to one's own money.

What is Arthur's idea of 'entitlements' in response to Singer's arguments?

Arthur's idea of 'entitlements' suggests that individuals have rights to their resources, which may counter Singer's demanding moral obligations.