PHI 200 Week 2

PHI 200 Written Assignment

Assisted Suicide

Susan Wolf, in writing about her own father's death, confronts the problems that arise at the end of life, and challenges her to consider her views on assisted suicide.

Putting yourself in Wolf's place, how would you respond to this tragic and difficult issue? In three pages (excluding the title and reference pages), state your own response, arguing for why you think that response is the best available choice. In addition, indicate to what extent you agree with Wolf, and where you disagree with her.

Discussion Questions

Ethics and Relativism

Our text discusses the challenge relativism presents to various ethical and religious viewpoints. Consider a specific moral question which might make it difficult to accept the relativist's response. State the moral issue involved, and provide an explanation as to why you think a relativist might have problem giving a justified response to it

Animal Rights

Do human beings have any obligations to other animals, in terms of their treatment? If it is wrong to treat animals cruelly, why is it not wrong to eat them? Explain if, and how, you think humans can find a balance between treating animals ethically while also raising them for food and for other reasons, such as the testing of pharmaceuticals.