PHI 101 – INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY
Fall 2003, Professor Beisecker
PAPER ASSIGNMENT
(Due in class,Wednesday, October 29)
For the next two weeks, we will be discussing different accounts of morality. In 3-4 well-written (that is, proof-read at least once!) and well-reasoned pages, address the following question:
Suppose that you are out camping with your more philosophical friends: an ethical egoist, a utilitarian, a Kantian, and a virtue theorist. The campsite has a $10.00 fee, but payment is on the "honor system." In other words, no one will punish you if you fail to pay. You are the only one who brought any cash (leave it to your philosophical friends to forget something so basic), so you will make the ultimate decision as to whether to leave your $10 in the little box for the park rangers. Of course, being moral philosophers, your companions will each try to argue a particular course of action. Pick at least three of your companions, and describe what course of action they will endorse and why. Then present some of the special difficulties attending each of their positions. Finally, tell me what you would eventually decide to do, and why.