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Journal Entries for the 2nd Unit of Ethics

  

  1. Do you agree or disagree with utilitarianism?  Present arguments for your views.  In doing this, pay attention to Mill’s arguments.  Remember that one option is defend a version of utilitarianism that is different than Mill’s. 

  2. Do you believe that marijuana should be legalized?  Why or why not?  In answering this question be sure to address the issues of paternalism that Mill discusses in On Liberty.

  3. In the essay The Subjection of Women, Mill supports full rights for women.  He defends this position by looking at the arguments of the other side and answering them.  What are the arguments of the other side that he addresses?  How does he answer these arguments?  What do you think or his position and his arguments?

  4. Having studied just war theory, please revisit the question of under what conditions you believe that war is just.  You may want to compare your view with this theory.

  5. Take a position on the current U.S. war against Iraq.  Defend your position by applying your theory about what makes a war just.  Develop what you believe to be the two most effective criticisms of your position, and answer these criticisms.  You may refer to articles in The Iraq War Reader or other relevant sources if you want.  You may also comment on the Bush-Kerry debates about the war, but if you do so, try to determine the philosophical bases of their positions.