EXAM #4 - POSSIBLE QUESTIONS
Instructions: On the day of the exam, you will be asked to answer TWO of the following six questions. Bring clean copies of both this question sheet and a blue examination booklet with you on test day (along with a PEN). I will roll the dice and whatever two (different) numbers come up, those are the questions you’ll answer in your blue book. I will rig the roll slightly however: you will have to answer one of the questions from 1-3, and one of the questions from 4-6. You'll then have 50 minutes to complete the exam. (Notes: (a) when a question asks you to "explain" something, make sure you give as much detail as you can to flesh out the view; (b) when a question asks you to "discuss" something, talk about significant points in detail, provide both sides of the issue (like in an actual discussion/conversation), and mention important implications of it; and (c) when a question asks you for your own view, explain your position and provide some reasons for it).
- (a) Explain in detail Holbach’s view on freedom (including his methodology), and then (b) discuss at least one strong objection to it (an objection you can draw from our discussion or from your own thinking on the matter).
- (a) Explain in detail Campbell’s view on freedom (including his methodology), and then (b) discuss at least one strong objection to it (an objection you can draw from our discussion or from your own thinking on the matter).
- (a) Explain in detail Stace’s view on freedom (including his methodology), and then (b) discuss at least one strong objection to it (an objection you can draw from our discussion or from your own thinking on the matter).
- Consider our much-discussed case of Kody the gangster (who had a terrible childhood), who at the age of 16 does what he sincerely believes is the morally right thing in killing a rival gang member. Discuss what Holbach, Campbell, and Stace would each say about Kody’s moral responsibility (i.e., is he morally responsible and why or why not?). Finally, explain whether or not you think Kody is morally responsible for this action and which of our authors is wrong or right as a result.
- Consider the case of Ken the Kleptomaniac. Suppose Ken's now in a store, and he's got an overwhelming impulse to steal some pencils, so he does so (even though he knows it's immoral to steal and he genuinely wishes he didn't have this overwhelming impulse). Discuss what Holbach, Campbell, and Stace would each say about Ken's moral responsibility (i.e., is he morally responsible and why or why not?). Finally, explain whether or not you think Ken is morally responsible for this action and which of our authors is wrong or right as a result.
- Explain the "Determinism/Indeterminism Dilemma" (i.e., provide and explain each step of the argument), and then explain the precise way in which each of our authors (Holbach, Campbell, and Stace) attempts to respond to it. In other words, don't just trot out their various views on freedom/responsibility; instead, show how each one of them may be seen as attempting to respond to this particular dilemma.