Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Philosophy and ethics

Notes on the Tao of Pooh

"Pooh just is." He doesn’t think too much, worry, or plan.

The How of Pooh?

"The Vinegar Tasters": Confucians see the world as an imperfect place in need of being ordered by human beings. Buddhists see the world as a place full of suffering that should be rejected. Taoists see the world as a naturally harmonious place that should be embraced and enjoyed for what it is.

From the Taoist perspective, Confucian thinking is flawed because natural laws should be accepted and obeyed; attempts to impose an outside, artificial order only create conflict and discomfort. Being in harmony with natural laws leads to happy serenity.

The Tao of Who?

Those who think too intellectually or try too hard (too self-consciously), like Rabbit,...

Thomas Hobbes (17th Century)

In the opinion of many scholars, Thomas Hobbes stands as one of the first great political philosophers of modern times. His cultural antecedents were the Reformation and the Renaissance, movements which, despite their differences, shared a common thread: a yearning to return to origins. The Reformation challenged established religious traditions, while the Renaissance extolled the virtues of classical philosophy. However, these movements also engendered discord, particularly concerning religious authority, leading to widespread conflict. It was an era marked by ambiguity and the absence of clear authority.

Born amidst the tumult of civil war, Hobbes's philosophical outlook was profoundly shaped by this experience....

Care Ethics: Held's Theory

Major Features of Care Ethics

• Attending to Particular Others: Focusing on specific individuals we have responsibilities towards, such as maternalism.
• Recognition of Dependence and Interdependence: Acknowledging that humans rely on others throughout their lives, creating moral obligations.
• Value of Emotion: Emphasizing the importance of emotions like sympathy, empathy, and responsiveness in moral decision-making.

Kinds of Emotions Valued and Rejected

• Valued Emotions: Sympathy, empathy, sensitivity, responsiveness.
• Rejected Emotions: Egoistic feelings, favoritism, aggressive impulses.

Care as Practice and Value

• Care as Practice: Guides us in responding to needs and understanding why we should.
• Care as Virtue: Values caring personalities

Elenchus (Socratic Method):

a form of cooperative argumentative dialogue between individuals, based on asking and answering questions to stimulate critical thinking and to draw out ideas and underlying presuppositions.

Philosophy:

An attitude of critical thoughtfulness concerning highly fundamental and general beliefs

Deductive Argument:

Attempts to show that a conclusion necessarily follows the premises

Validity vs. Soundness:

Validity is a deductive argument which the conclusion cannot be false if the premises are true, whereas soundness combines both validity and true premises

Inductive Argument:

Attempts to provide reasons for the truth of the conclusion, the conclusion states more than what is contained in the premises, universal conclusion.

Glaucon’s

Mastering Essential English Vocabulary for Work

Key Definitions and Terms

• To Earn Money: To receive payment in return for one’s labor or service; to deserve compensation.
• Teamwork: Collaborative effort where individuals work together for the profit or benefit of the group (e.g., group projects).
• To Make a Profit: To achieve good results or earn money by engaging in a specific activity or business.
• To Pack: To put clothes and necessary items into suitcases, typically before a trip.
• To Deliver: To take something (such as letters, pizza, or messages) to a specific location.
• To Dare: To not feel afraid of doing something. Example: If your parents are very strict, you might not dare to come home late.
• To Guarantee: To assure that something is certain;

What are the Three Prongs of the Lemon Test?

• (1) It must have a "secular legislative purpose"
• (2) Neutral
• (3) Avoid an "excessive government entanglement with religion."
  • Establishment Clause prevents the government from creating an official church, from preferring one faith over another, and from discriminating against non-believers.

Different Ways to View the Establishment Clause and What Was the Only Reason...

• Accommodationist: According to the "accommodationist view," government needs religion to instill the moral values required for maintaining civil order. Modern-day accommodationists also argue that religion is part of the national heritage, and adds solemnity and dignity to civic events. Accordingly, accommodationists contend that government

Solidarism and the Enforcement of International Rule

The classical English School scholar, Hedley Bull, defined solidarism as the collective enforcement of international rules and the guardianship of human rights. Solidarism is driven by states for the purpose and interests of the people they serve.

In a solidarist order, individuals possess basic rights (e.g., not to be killed or harmed). If harm is being undertaken and the state is unable to prevent it, solidarist theory holds that the members of the international society have a duty to intervene.

The Challenge of Humanitarian Intervention in the UN Order

Within the UN framework, the primary problem regarding humanitarian intervention was not the danger that external powers showed no regard for...

Contractual Capacity

Individuals Lacking Capacity

• Minors (under 18 years of age)
• Individuals suffering from a mental disability
• Individuals who are intoxicated

Misrepresentation in Contracts

Types of Misrepresentation

• Fraudulent Misrepresentation
• Innocent Misrepresentation
• Negligent Misrepresentation

Proving Duress

Elements of Duress

• Demonstrate that illegitimate means were used.
• The illegitimate means used were a reason for entering the contract.
• The evidence presented is honest and accepted.

Undue Influence

Presumed Special Relationships

• Parent/Child
• Guardian/Ward
• Doctor/Patient

Discharge of Contracts

Primary Methods of Contract Discharge

• By Performance
• By Agreement
• By Frustration
• By Breach

Discharge by Agreement Methods

• Mutual Discharge
• Release
• Waiver
• Substitution

Recovering