PHL- Philosophy 2
PHL- Philosophy 2
EXAM III—ETHICS (120 pts + 40 bonus) Directions: This exam covers the following material: books III and IV in Aristotle’s Ethics, Nietzsche, and the issue of what is happiness with which we began the semester. I made all the essays, including the bonus, 20 points each, to give you some leeway to really write what you know. I made the happiness revision 40 points. Read these directions carefully. Please type all answers, except for any necessary drawings or diagrams, e.g., of Aristotle’s virtues. You may leave some white space there and hand draw them. You are to download this exam, neatly type all your answers, and bring the hardcopy to class on Tuesday, stapled. Please keep the questions in the exam, along with your answers (i.e., do not delete the questions please). Please boldface all of your answers if you can; it makes your exam easier to read and grade. Please be thorough in all of your answers. Thanks for a great semester, good luck, and may each of you rise to become one of the ubermensche! 1. What is Nietzsche’s view of ethics? How does he form that view, that is, what does he seem to criticize in other views of ethics, and why does he make those criticisms? Do you think his views have any viability? What is his relevance for us today? Please explain your response. (20) 2. What is Aristotle’s definition of virtue, both in virtue’s genus and in its differentia (or species)? (Please be thorough and give the full definition.) Next, give the full diagram and description for the virtue that corresponds with anger, explaining the diagram’s various details. Next apply it to some situation, i.e., how would a virtuous person express his or her anger? (20) 3. What is Aristotle’s view of the differences between voluntary and involuntary actions? What are a couple of things Aristotle says that can make an action involuntary? If an unjust king commanded you to commit murder while threatening your family, what do you think Aristotle would...