Study Guide for the 3rd Exam
Fall, 2009
1. The quiz will
consist of a number of short essay questions. For each of the major philosophers
that we have covered, you should be able to:
a.
Give an account of the basic claims and the arguments that support these
claims.
b. Apply the theories to a concrete situation.
c. Explain a major criticism that can be offered.
2. This exam is cumulative so you should review the material on the earlier study guides. There will be questions that ask you to compare the claims and arguments of the philosophers that we have studied. Comparisons that you should definitely consider are Locke and Shiva, Nozick and Shiva, Marx and Schweickart, as well as Rawls and Schweickart. There could be other comparisons, but at least one of these four will definitely be on the exam.
3. You should be able to explain the meaning of quotations from the
philosophers that we have studied. You should also be able to identify who wrote
the quoted passage. The passage could be from any philosopher that we have
studied.
4. In terms of
environmental philosophy, be sure that you understand the following:
a. Vine Deloria's account of traditional Native American thought
and how Marx's theory of ideology helps us understand Deloria's account.
b. Singer's arguments for animal rights from a utilitarian
perspective and its implications for environmental ethics
c. The application of a libertarian conservative perspective (such
as Anderson and Leal) to environmental issue as well as the libertarian
conservative critique of the liberal perspective on
environmental issues
d. The application of a liberal perspective (such as Partridge) to
environmental issues as well as a liberal critique of the libertarian
conservative perspective on environmental issues
e. The different ethical emphases found in deep ecology, Marxism,
Green Marxism, and ecofeminism and the implications of these viewpoints for
environmental issues.
5. In reviewing Shiva, be sure that you understand the following philosophical
aspects of her thought as well as her social scientific analysis of the market
economy:
a. The influence of Gandhi on Shiva including the terms satyagraha,
swadeshi, and swaraj.
b. The meaning of earth democracy
c. The arguments about the tragedy of the commons and privatization
and what argues are the latest commons to be enclosed by corporations.
d. Her arguments about how capitalist globalization have undermined
democracy and human rights
e. Why Shiva sees seed saving as an ethical duty and an appropriate
symbol for the entire program of earth democracy
f. How Shiva distinguishes between false universalisms and genuine
universalisms.
g. Why Shiva can be termed an ecofeminist.
h. What evidence she provides to challenge the “myth” that
corporate agriculture is more efficient than sustenance agriculture.
i. Define and provide examples of the ”precautionary principle” and
the “polluter pays” principle.
j. Describe how corporate globalization undermines economic
democracy and the livelihoods of farmers.
7. From Monopoly-Finance Capital and the Paradox of Accumulation by Foster and McChesney and From the “Giant Pool of Money” aired on This American Life:
a. Make sure you can describe the various stages of capitalism they describe.
b. Define the monopoly-finance stage of capitalism, its relationship to the capitalist stagnation of the 1970s, and how this contributed to the current economic crisis.
c. What are NINAs and how did the development of these instruments impact the recession
d.. What was the Glass-Stegall Act? When was it repealed? What impact did it’s repeal have on the crisis?
8. How is the current crisis tied in to what Stiglitz and other economists call the “Moral Hazard?” Define the meaning of this term and how it led to economic crises in many 3rd world countries in the past 30 years.
9. The social science portion of the exam, will also include various concepts. Ideas and developments that we have studied throughout the course of the semester.
You should be able to define and provide examples (where appropriate) of the following:
a. World Systems Theory: Core, periphery and semiperiphery and apply these concepts to the global system today
b. The meaning of Imperialism/Colonialism and how it impacted countries around the globe (monocultural production, cultural changes, and impct on the environment in Foster’s book)
c. Dependency Theory and the reasons for its popularity among 3rd world leaders during the era of decolonization
d. Describe how and where the US has sought to influence global developments over the past 60 years through clandestine activities
e. Define and explain the roles of the World Bank, IMF and WTO
f. Explain the formula: I=PxAxT and its significance for the environment
g. Describe the characteristics of the Japanese Model of Development and where it has been implemented
h. Identify the economists associated with Classical Liberalism, Liberalism and Neoliberalism and the fundamental tenets of each position
i. What are externalities and what are their impacts?
j. Identify three of the major environmental challenges facing the globe. How does Foster argue we need to address these? How does his solution compare to Stiglitz and Shiva?
10. There will be extra credit on current affairs.