Your responses should be in the form of a brief expository essay. Your essays should aim for clarity and accuracy. The aim is to show that you understand and have command of the relevant concepts and theory. It might be helpful to imagine that you are writing a brief entry for an encyclopedia. Your response will help readers understand the moral theories being discussed (for example, what rule consequentialism is) as well as the concepts at issue in the prompt (for example, what the “too demanding” objection is). The purpose of this essay is not to provide an evaluation. Rather, it is to practice clear and careful exposition of difficult concepts.
(Module 4) (Long response prompt, provide a response that is 750-900 words in length)
4. In Utilitarianism, John Stuart Mill provides a utilitarian explanation for why lying is
morally wrong. What is his explanation? Also need to explain what utilitarianism is as well.
•(Module 7)( Short response prompt, provide a response that is 450-650 words in length.)
7. What is the difference between treating someone as a mere means and treating them as
an end-in-itself? In particular, how does Onora O’Neill suggest we understand these
notions?