Assignment task:
Sample question: What is "metaethics"? Give an example of the sort of question asked in metaethics.
Sample answer: Metaethics is the branch of ethics that deals with explaining the meaning of ethical terms like "good" or "bad," and also examining the basis for ethical theories. It doesn't actually come up with any moral principles itself. For example, a metaethicist might ask a question like, 'does "good" mean the same thing when someone says, "it's good to exercise," and "it's good to give to charity?"
1. State a brief example to illustrate each of the following terms: allowing someone to die, mercy killing, mercy death.
2. Explain why nuclear war could never qualify as a "just war," under the conditions for what a just war is.
3. What are the two "absolute right" positions on abortion? In what sorts of cases would or would not each position permit abortion?
4. Explain, with examples, the difference between lies of commission and lies of omission.
5. In the context of the abortion debate, explain the difference between asking "when does life begin?" and "when does human life begin"?
IN YOUR OWN WORD