Final Exam Study Guide

1. Explain the concept of community: For de Tocqueville, what is individualism and from what misconception does it emerge? In Dewey’s idea of the ideal community, in what manner do the members each participate in decision making, how are the group benefits and responsibilities distributed, and what significance is the personal development is each of the members?

2. Define essentialism and nominalism and explain what the theory of social divisions that we discussed in class shares in common with and how it differs from each of these theories. Then explain in detail why, according to the theory of social divisions, the inequalities between groups are so deeply ingrained and difficult to eradicate.

3. Summarize utilitarianism and Kant’s end in itself formulation of the categorical imperative. Then explain why some people believe that each of these normative ethical theories sets a standard for being moral that is too high and thus unfair.

4. If the scientific consensus is correct that global warming is real and is a very serious environmental problem, what is the responsibility of individual American citizens for dealing with this problem, including those who may not directly be contributing a great deal to the problem? Consider, among other things, the issue of the fair distribution of emissions and costs between different nations and between the present and future generations. Finally, explain the concept of sustainable development. Is it an adequate solution for global warming? Why or why not?