Philosophy and Ethics [D0I86a]
,Philosophy and Ethics [D0I86a]
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1: Introduction 3
CHAPTER 2: Moral Reasoning and Argument 6
CHAPTER 3: Free Will, Moral Responsibility 14
CHAPTER 4: Social Contract Theories 21
CHAPTER 5: Utilitarianism and Effective Altriusm 28
CHAPTER 6: Deontology, Kantian Ethics 35
CHAPTER 7: Ethics of Gender, Care and The Family 44
CHAPTER 8: Ethics of Race and Diversity 51
CHAPTER 9: Ethics of Migration and Refuge 58
CHAPTER 10: Ethics of Climate Change 65
CHAPTER 11: Markets and Morals 74
CHAPTER 12: Ethics and Work 80
CHAPTER 13: Ethics and Meritocracy 86
CHAPTER 1: Introduction
1. What these slides are for
These slides are not a content chapter themselves. They are guidance for how to study
the required readings and how to answer the exam questions.
The core message is: the texts are the exam material, the slides help you interpret and
prioritize them.
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,2. What counts as exam material
2.1 Required readings
Only the required readings are exam material. Suggested readings are explicitly not
exam material.
2.2 How to read for the exam
You are expected to do a structured reading of the texts. That means:
◦ Focus on key concepts and key arguments
◦ Reconstruct each author’s argument as a chain: thesis, premises, supporting
reasons, conclusion
◦ Write an outline for yourself
2.3 What the slides do
The slides are study guidance: they help interpret core concepts and arguments, give
background and examples, and point you to what matters most in the reading.
3. Exam format and what it implies for your writing
3.1 Structure and points
The exam has two parts.
◦ Three short questions, half a page each, 4 points each, total 12
◦ One essay question, 1.5 pages, 8 points
You must answer all questions in full sentences, not bullet points, and handwriting must
be legible.
Short questions test precise definitions and one clear explanation of why the concept
matters.
Essay questions test argument reconstruction plus critical comparison and your own
reasoned stance, within a tight page limit.
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, 4. Short questions: what is being tested
The slide gives examples of short questions.
◦ What is the original position
◦ What is the non identity problem concerning duties to future generations
◦ What are key mitigating factors of moral responsibility
◦ What is the point of Frye’s birdcage analogy
A high scoring short answer typically does four things within half a page
1 Define the concept clearly
2 Name the author or framework it belongs to
3 Explain the purpose of the concept in the argument
4 Add one small example or implication that shows understanding
5. Essay question: what is being tested
5.1 The sample essay prompt
You may receive one essay question with no choice. One example prompt given is about
ethical obligations to alleviate global poverty, the kinds of duties we have, building an
ethical argument, and discussing an objection.
So you must be able to
◦ Identify the relevant ethical approach and author
◦ Construct a coherent argument for the obligation
◦ Clarify what duties follow
◦ Handle at least one strong objection
5.2 The required essay method
The slides provide a step by step method.
1 Identify the relevant author or text
2 State their position
3 Summarize their argument clearly and concisely, focusing only on what answers the
question, and use examples
4 Answer all sub questions
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,Philosophy and Ethics [D0I86a]
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1: Introduction 3
CHAPTER 2: Moral Reasoning and Argument 6
CHAPTER 3: Free Will, Moral Responsibility 14
CHAPTER 4: Social Contract Theories 21
CHAPTER 5: Utilitarianism and Effective Altriusm 28
CHAPTER 6: Deontology, Kantian Ethics 35
CHAPTER 7: Ethics of Gender, Care and The Family 44
CHAPTER 8: Ethics of Race and Diversity 51
CHAPTER 9: Ethics of Migration and Refuge 58
CHAPTER 10: Ethics of Climate Change 65
CHAPTER 11: Markets and Morals 74
CHAPTER 12: Ethics and Work 80
CHAPTER 13: Ethics and Meritocracy 86
CHAPTER 1: Introduction
1. What these slides are for
These slides are not a content chapter themselves. They are guidance for how to study
the required readings and how to answer the exam questions.
The core message is: the texts are the exam material, the slides help you interpret and
prioritize them.
6 of 103
,2. What counts as exam material
2.1 Required readings
Only the required readings are exam material. Suggested readings are explicitly not
exam material.
2.2 How to read for the exam
You are expected to do a structured reading of the texts. That means:
◦ Focus on key concepts and key arguments
◦ Reconstruct each author’s argument as a chain: thesis, premises, supporting
reasons, conclusion
◦ Write an outline for yourself
2.3 What the slides do
The slides are study guidance: they help interpret core concepts and arguments, give
background and examples, and point you to what matters most in the reading.
3. Exam format and what it implies for your writing
3.1 Structure and points
The exam has two parts.
◦ Three short questions, half a page each, 4 points each, total 12
◦ One essay question, 1.5 pages, 8 points
You must answer all questions in full sentences, not bullet points, and handwriting must
be legible.
Short questions test precise definitions and one clear explanation of why the concept
matters.
Essay questions test argument reconstruction plus critical comparison and your own
reasoned stance, within a tight page limit.
7 of 103
, 4. Short questions: what is being tested
The slide gives examples of short questions.
◦ What is the original position
◦ What is the non identity problem concerning duties to future generations
◦ What are key mitigating factors of moral responsibility
◦ What is the point of Frye’s birdcage analogy
A high scoring short answer typically does four things within half a page
1 Define the concept clearly
2 Name the author or framework it belongs to
3 Explain the purpose of the concept in the argument
4 Add one small example or implication that shows understanding
5. Essay question: what is being tested
5.1 The sample essay prompt
You may receive one essay question with no choice. One example prompt given is about
ethical obligations to alleviate global poverty, the kinds of duties we have, building an
ethical argument, and discussing an objection.
So you must be able to
◦ Identify the relevant ethical approach and author
◦ Construct a coherent argument for the obligation
◦ Clarify what duties follow
◦ Handle at least one strong objection
5.2 The required essay method
The slides provide a step by step method.
1 Identify the relevant author or text
2 State their position
3 Summarize their argument clearly and concisely, focusing only on what answers the
question, and use examples
4 Answer all sub questions
8 of 103
