Practice Questions for Philosophy of Ethics and Law Final Exam

Waseda University Philosophy of Law (Theme Class)
FINAL EXAM

Answer any TWO questions, ONLY ONE from each section. Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes.

Section 1.
Either
Question 1a). What is Kant’s Universalizability Test? Which of the criticisms to the test do you think is most serious, and why?
OR

Question 1b). Discuss one counter- example to Kant’s claim that the Motive of Duty is necessary and sufficient to be a good person.

Section 2.
Either
Question 2a). What is Act Utilitarianism? Which of the criticisms of Act Utilitarianism is most serious, and why? How would a Utilitarian respond?

OR
Question 2b). Discuss three differences between Utilitarianism and Kant’s Deontology

Section 3.

Either
Question 3a). What is the Argument from Tolerance? And what is its most serious objection?



OR

Question 3b). What is the Cultural Differences Argument? And what is its most serious objection?

Section 4.
Either
Question 4a). What is Social Contract theory? And why is the Social Contract necessary, according to Hobbes? What is the most serious objection to the theory?

OR
Question 4b). What is the difference between Kant’s conception of human nature, and that of Hobbes? And what, for both thinkers, is the relationship between reason and morality? Who has the more plausible view?


Section 4. Punishment and the Death Penalty
Either
Question 4a). Give a critical discussion of AT LEAST TWO objections to the death penalty.

OR
Question 4b). Should Japan abandon the death penalty?