Final Exam Study Guide PHIL 1120 Winter 2011

Some of the following essay questions will appear on the exam. Be sure to study each question. Prepare answers for the following questions ahead of time. You will not be allowed to bring your written answers to the test, however, it will help you to properly answer the question in the time allowed.

1. Describe the motivations/values behind the obligations we have to tell the truth. Explain whether or not this makes the obligation absolute or prima facie, and why. How does this obligation apply to the ultimate value of health care. In the course of your answer show how the interaction of these principles applies in one of the example cases that Thomasma describes. 2. Monroe Freedman discusses what he describes as the three hardest questions with respect to the criminal defense attorneys different mission. What is the different mission? How does this mission fit into Freedman's justification for the adversarial system as a whole. Choose one of the three questions he discusses and analyze his answer. Is he right? Describe why or why not. 3. Subin criticizes the defenders of the currently practiced adversarial system especially as it applies to the role of the defense attorney. What , in his view, is wrong with this role? What is a false defense, and how does it play into his criticisms of the different mission of the Defense attorney. How does he suggest the system be modified to address these problems? What, in your opinion is the best possible objection to Subin's suggestions and why? 4. DesJardins and Duska argue a specific set of positions with respect to drug testing. Describe their position and the assumptions that underlie it. Provide an analysis of either the performance argument or the harm argument. In the course of your answer describe the argument in detail and the evaluation of it that the authors give. What further considerations, if any, apply with respect to the application of this analysis in the practice of employee drug testing. Do you agree with the position you have reported? Why? 5. Milton Friedman provides the basis for what is known as the stockholder theory of the corporation. What is this theory? What is the alternative? Why does Friedman argue in favor of this position? How would Arrow criticize this position? In what ways do Friedman and Arrow agree and disagree? Which position do you find most defensible? 6. Nader et al. disapprove of the way that corporate governance operates. What are the specific problems the authors highlight? Why is this an ethical problem from the standpoint of the stockholders and other stakeholder groups? How do the authors suggest the corporate governance structure be revised to address the issue; what measures must be included to make these reforms work? Do you agree with the position of the author's? Why or why not?