News – Page 280 – Quixotic Pedagogue

Debate Test for Correction

Mr. Pogreba
Debate Class
Ethics Quiz

Section 1: Short Answer
Instructions: Answer each question completely, showing understanding of the concept. You don’t need to write complete sentences, but do need to have complete, clear ideas.

1. What is metaethics‌

2. What are normative ethics‌

3. What is the difference between act and rule utilitarianism‌

4. What did Kant mean by the idea of transcendental idealism‌

5. What does the term deontological mean‌

6. What are two parts of the categorical imperative‌

7. Provide 2 reasons why utilitarian thinking is flawed.

Section 2: Paragraph Response
Answer each question with a full paragraph, demonstrating knowledge and application of the ethical concepts we have learned.

1. You run an animal shelter. Budget cutbacks have forced you to make a decision between firing five of your workers or euthanizing many of the animals at the shelter, something you have never done before. Using either Bentham or Kant as your ethical guide, pick one option and explain what makes it the more ethical choice.

2. You are the principal of an elementary school with an unusual student body. 40% of your students are incredibly gifted students and thinkers, and 60% are far below their grade level in reading and math. One group of teachers believes that you should teach all the students equally so that everyone can achieve, one believes you should focus on the gifted students because they have the most promise, and one group believes that you should focus on the students with special needs because they deserve the attention. Using Betham or Kant as your ethical guide, what do you do‌

3. Analyze what might make application of the categorical imperative problematic in modern society. List specific problems with the philosophy and make the case that it is not a useful framework for ethical decisions.

February 27, 2009/by dpogreba

Is Great Art One Potential Benefit of the Economic Downturn?

Deep Thoughts

In effect, such declarations helped lay the cultural groundwork for the New Deal, providing the ideological infrastructure for the new governmental institutions created during the ’30s. It is not yet clear whether the current economic disaster will produce anything like the profound transformation that shook the U.S. during the Great Depression. Our own crises of belief are likely just beginning. If we are fortunate, however, we will have a generation of artists and intellectuals like those of the 1930s to help us imagine our way past confusion.

February 24, 2009/by dpogreba

What Kind of Work Deserves an A?

Deep Thoughts

He attributes those complaints to his students’ sense of entitlement.

“I tell my classes that if they just do what they are supposed todo and meet the standard requirements, that they will earn a C,” hesaid. “That is the default grade. They see the default grade as an A.”

February 18, 2009/by dpogreba

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