Download Environmental Ethics Spring 2011 Final Exam Study

Environmental Ethics
Final Exam Study Sheet
Spring 2011
Schmid
Identification: Know these terms, concepts, and positions and how they relate to other concepts
and positions and what ramifications each may have. Also, know the arguments for each
position and each thinker’s take on these positions. Any of these terms, concepts or positions
could appear in a multiple choice or true-false question. Also, know which thinkers are
associated with which positions and be able to identify passages from these authors.
Biodiversity, protection of
Utilitarianism
Issues of Posterity
Contractarianism
Social policies and personal identity
McKibben’s special moment
Tragedy of the Commons
Lifeboat economics
Optimal pollution
Baxter’s four goals
Climate change factors
Factors affecting climate warming/cooling
Greenhouse effect
Global warming
Climate change
Rationality, Sentience & Rights
Speciesism
Inherent Worth/Intrinsic Value
Experiencing subjects of a life
Strong/Weak Animal Rights
Meadows & Russow, Stone, Hardin, McKibben, Kasun, French, Baxter, Pew, Gardiner, Singer,
Regan, Warren
Short and Long Essay Questions: Short answer essay questions will require you to define,
discuss, or analyze some position, concept or argument. These answers will be approximately a
paragraph in length.
Long Answer Essays: Choose two of the three following essays. Prior to the exam, prepare
answers to these questions. To make this exam as fair as possible to everyone, you are allowed
to copy and paste your Long Answer Essay answer into Desire2Learn. A. Warren argues that Regan has not given a coherent account of inherent value. Explain this
argument: what does Regan say and what is Warren’s criticism. Compare Regan’s account of
inherent value with Rolston/Taylor’s biocentric account of inherent worth. What is this
biocentric account of inherent worth? How are Regan and Rolston/Taylor’s accounts similar or
dissimilar. Given Warren’s detailed criticism of Regan, does Warren’s criticism also apply to
Rolston/Taylor’s account of inherent worth? Explain your answer.
B. Hardin argues that the population problem cannot be solved by any other means than mutually
agreed coercion. What is Hardin’s argument and why does he think this is the only means of
solving the problem? How does the tragedy of the commons arise? What natural process is
mutually agreed coercion supposed to mirror? How might Kasun argue against Hardin’s
suggestion? How might Hardin respond? Which of the two positions do you find most
persuasive, and why?
C. Imagine a time in the near future when transplant surgeons will be able to use chimpanzee
hearts for transplanting into humans. Imagine that the technology has advanced such that the
chances of tissue rejection are no worse than human-to-human heart transplants. However,
unlike humans, chimpanzees are an endangered species. But, there are always more transplant
patients than there are human hearts available for transplant.
The thirteen-year-old boy, Junior, suffers from a congenital heart problem which has
Environmental Ethics
Final Exam Study Sheet
Spring 2011
Schmid
recently worsened and now threatens his life. A suitable human heart is not currently available.
However, one will likely be available in the next few weeks. Unfortunately, the boy will not
survive until that time. Both the boy and his parents have consented to the surgery.
Should the transplantation team go ahead with the surgery and transplant a chimpanzee’s
heart into the boy? Is it morally permissible for the team to use the chimpanzee for this purpose?
In stating your argument, be very clear and precise in stating your ethical argument. If you are
relying on a position advanced by Singer, Regan, or Warren, clearly state your intent and explain
why you think that position is the correct position to take.
Taking the Exam: The exam is conducted entirely on Desire2Learn (D2L). Exam day is
Wednesday, May 18, 2011. The exam will be open from 6am until 11:59pm.