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Consider yourself the owner of an invisibility hat. You may wear the hat for twenty-four (24) hours. What would you do? Would you react as a psychological egoist, an ethical egoist, or an altruist? Explain your answer by using details from the text.
According to Plato's question, would even a just person be corrupted with such power? |
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Consider the reaction of American citizens following 9/11. Most became very proud Americans; red, white, and blue banners unfurled in every state, flags were sold out in every store, and the most unique jewelry was adorned, as long as it was American-red, white , and blue.
Now consider American citizens today. Where are the banners, the flags, and the jewelry? Have American citizens become cynical about the war in Iraq? Have you? Explain why you believe "patriotism" has been replaced by "cynicism"? |
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A person is given a fortune. What will he do with the money? Explain how a psychological egoist would react...how an altruist would react. Who would be happier and why? |
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Think of an event or a time when you feel you acted unselfishly. According to the psychological egoist, you still had a selfish motive! Explain why the psychological egoist would consider you selfish. |
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Explain the Social Contract Theory. Use specific examples that illustrate how humans decided to set society with rules. |
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Compare and contrast "skeptical" and "cynicism". |
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Explain how the objective of someone's behavior determines the difference between selfish and unselfish. Use specific examples |
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Explain why ethical egoism is considered a Consequentialistic Theory. Use specific examples to support your opinion. |
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| 9 | |
How can a terrorist and a mother who is protecting her child both be considered altruistic? Is it really to benefit them or to create a better chance of survival of their genes? Refer to the Selfish-gene Theory in your response. |
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| 10 | |
To a psychological egoist, what does the Golden Rule mean?...to an altruist?...to a consequentialist? The Golden Rule states: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." |
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| 11 | |
Read the article about Andrew Carnegie at http://www.clpgh.org/exhibit/carnegie.html. Mr. Carnegie was one of the most notorious philanthropists in the 20th Century. At the time, he was one of the world's richest men, but before he died, have much of his fortunes away to charities, many of which still exist today. However, much of his fortune was made through exploiting his workers and making business deals that, in today's business world, would not be permitted.
After reading the article, make your own decisions about whether you think Andrew Carnegie was ultimately an egoist, an altruist, or both. |
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