Ethics and Social Justice

Exam Question

1. Even after Socrates has been convicted by a jury of impiety and corrupting the youth of Athens, he refuses to accept exile maintaining that a critical public culture able to discuss intelligently issues of virtue is a necessary part of a just society.[Apology 38a] “and if again I say that to talk every day about virtue and the other things about which you hear me talking and examining myself and others is the greatest good to man, and that the unexamined life is not worth living, you will believe me still less.”

Read (or watch) Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol. http://www.stormfax.com/dickens.htm The visitations of the three ghosts enable Scrooge to understand who he has become. Scrooge, unhappy with the reality of his life, chooses to change. Explain the process. How might the moral of this story help someone appreciate the Socratic dictum “the unexamined life is not worth living”?

2. Peter Singer, an advocate of utiliarianism, maintains that “[Since]An American household with an income of $50,000 spends around $30,000 annually on necessities, according to the Conference Board, a nonprofit economic research organization....a household bringing in $50,000 a year, [should provide] donations to help the world's poor... as close as possible to $20,000. The $30,000 required for necessities holds for higher incomes as well. So a household making $100,000 could cut a yearly check for $70,000. Again, the formula is simple: whatever money you're spending on luxuries, not necessities, should be given away.” How would Nozick or Hayek respond to Singer’s “solution”? With whom do you agree? Be sure to explain your position.

3. Hotel Rwanda tells us the story of Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager who finds the courage to save over one thousand people. Using Glover’s explanation of tribal morality, explain how Rusesbagina come to recognize the humanity in each of the people he attempts to save. In other words, does Paul confirm Glover’s position? Why or why not?

4. Jack, one of the American journalists says “Jesus Christ I am ashamed,” but noticeably he fails to act. Paul Rusesabagina also appeals to shame when he asks the “customers” at the hotel to call all their friends abroad; he says “We must shame them into sending us help.” What role do you think shame might play in the process to humanize ethics? Do you think Glover is correct in believing that ethics needs to be humanized? Be sure to explain your position.