Download Phil 303 2008 - UKZN: Philosophy

UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU-NATAL
HOWARD COLLEGE CAMPUS
EXAMINATIONS JUNE 2008
PHIL303H1: ISSUES IN ETHICAL THEORY
EXAMINERS: JULIA CLARE
JOHN COLLIER
EXTERNAL EXAMINER: SAMANTHA VICE
DURATION: 3 HOURS
TOTAL 300 MARKS
Answer ALL the questions from Section A, ONE from Section B and ONE
from Section C.
PLEASE USE A SEPARATE ANSWER BOOK FOR EACH SECTION
SECTION A
Give definitions of the following five terms (5-10 sentences maximum).
20 marks each
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Reciprocal altruism
Moral realism
Biological Function (of a trait)
Natural selection
Kin selection
SECTION B
Answer one of the following questions. 100 marks
6. Why is the phenomenon of altruism in humans and other animals a bit of a
biological mystery? What proposals are there to explain the phenomenon
(phenomena)? How plausible do you find these explanations (consider both
their scope and evidence)?
7. What is the “Naturalistic Fallacy”? Do you think it is an effective objection to
any kind of evolutionary moral realism? Give your reasons, being careful to
justify as much as you can, taking objections into consideration.
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UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU-NATAL
HOWARD COLLEGE CAMPUS
EXAMINATIONS JUNE 2008
PHIL303H1: ISSUES IN ETHICAL THEORY
8. What is reductionism with respect to morality? Give two examples of
reductive approaches, and discuss their advantages and shortcomings
critically.
SECTION C
Answer one of the following questions. 100 marks
9. Why is trust a problem for any social contract? Explain and evaluate
Binmore's solution to the problem of trust.
10. Critically assess the role that hunter-gatherer societies play in Binmore's
argument.
11. Binmore suggests that the only moral vocabulary we need is one of rights and
duties. Do you think he is correct?
12. Traditionally social contract theorists have held to a view of humans being
free, equal and rational. To what extent does Binmore subscribe to that view?
13. Who are the players in Binmore's games and to what extent can we attribute
agency to those players?
14. Explain the notions of “social index” and “worthiness” and briefly outline the
role these play in finding fair solutions to bargaining games. Critically discuss
Binmore's attempts to reconcile these two notions.
15. Binmore positions himself as an egalitarian. Explain and evaluate the form his
egalitarianism takes.
16. Critically evaluate both Binmore’s proposals for the direction in which we
should try to take society and his suggested mechanisms for change.
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UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU-NATAL
HOWARD COLLEGE CAMPUS
EXAMINATIONS JUNE 2008
PHIL303H1: ISSUES IN ETHICAL THEORY
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