Tufts Ethics Comp Answers

The following is a study guide to the Tufts Philosophy MA Ethics Comp. Questions are listed, when possible, with a source which provides a direct answer and which can be understood "quickly and easily". Sometimes, we have only resources that provide more "in-depth" coverage---these articles may be more challenging, and it may be difficult to fit many of them into the 48-hour window you usually have to prepare answers.

Related pages include:
      General Tips
      Philosophy of Science
      Metaphysics
      Epistemology

If you know of a reference that provides a clear and concise answer to any Tufts Ethics comp question, email me or post in the comments!

• What is Nietzsche's critique of morality? How compelling is it? Discuss with reference to at least one contemporary philosopher.
Brian Leiter, "Nietzsche's Moral and Political Philosophy", in Edward N. Zalta (ed.) The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.


• Can moral rights or principles of justice be defended strictly on utilitarian grounds? How might the importance of rights and justice be weighed against the maximization of happiness overall?
Walter Sinnott-Armstrong, "Consequentialism", in Edward N. Zalta (ed.) The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.


• Explain the distinction between agent-relative and agent-neutral reasons. Should agent-relative reasons play any role in moral reasoning? Discuss with respect to at least two philosophers.
Michael Ridge, "Reasons for Action: Agent-Neutral vs. Agent-Relative", in Edward N. Zalta (ed.) The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy; Diane Jeske, "Special Obligations", in Edward N. Zalta (ed.) The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.


• Virtue theorists claim that their theories give a more adequate account of our moral commitments than do theories based on principles. Evaluate this claim and explain what is at stake in the controversy between virtue theorists and proponents of theories based on moral principles.
Robert B. Louden, "Virtue Ethics", in Donald Borchert (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Philosophy (2nd ed., V.9) (Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2006), p. 687-689; Rosalind Hursthouse, "Virtue Ethics"


• The position known in contemporary ethical theory as "situationism" constitutes a particular critique of virtue ethics. What is this critique? How might virtue ethicists respond to it? What could be the significance to moral philosophy of appeals to empirical findings of the sort presented by the situationist?
Marcia Homiak, "Moral Character", in Edward N. Zalta (ed.) The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy; John Doris, Stephen Stich, "Moral Psychology: Empirical Approaches", in Edward N. Zalta (ed.) The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.


• What role, if any, should blame and praise play in moral life and moral philosophy? Discuss with reference to at least two philosophers.
Andrew Eshleman, "Moral Responsibility", in Edward N. Zalta (ed.) The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy; Owen McLeod, "Desert", in Edward N. Zalta (ed.) The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.


• What, if anything, is wrong with the idea that some people's desires are not in their own best interest and, thus, should not be taken into account in our moral deliberation? Discuss one moral theory that endorses paternalism and another that rejects it.
Joel Feinberg, "Paternalism", in Donald Borchert (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Philosophy (2nd ed., V.7) (Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2006), p. 137-140; Gerald Dworkin, "Paternalism", in Edward N. Zalta (ed.) The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy; Richard Arneson, "Paternalism", in E. Craig (ed.), Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy (London: Routledge, 1998)


• Describe the position known in contemporary ethical theory as "particularism." What do you take to be the best argument for it? What might be its main weaknesses?
Quick and easy: Jonathan Dancy, "Moral Particularism", in Edward N. Zalta (ed.) The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.


• Do ethical judgments have cognitive content? Discuss with reference to at least two philosophers.
Quick and easy: Mark van Roojen, "Moral Cognitivism vs. Non-Cognitivism", in Edward N. Zalta (ed.) The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.


• What is the source of moral normativity? Discuss with respect to at least two philosophers.
Quick and easy: Stephen Darwall, "Normativity" in E. Craig (Ed.), Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy. (London: Routledge, 2001).