Problem
A. Explain the justice-based criticisms of utilitarianism. Illustrate the concern using at least one of the examples from Kai Nielsen's article, "Against Moral Conservativism." How does Nielsen respond to such critique to defend consequentialist accounts of morality such as utilitarianism? Is his defense and rejection of moral conservativism compelling? Explain your answers.
B. Introduce Kant's Categorical Imperative in its universal law formulation. What is the decision procedure for determining one's duties using this principle? Illustrate your answer with one of Kant's 4 examples. Be sure to explain what the duty is and how it follows from the universal law formulation of the Categorical Imperative. Characterize the duty you choose as either perfect or imperfect and to oneself or others. Explain your characterization
C. What is hedonism? What is utilitarianism? Explain how the two theories are connected and why this leads some critics to maintain that utilitarianism is a doctrine fit for swine. How does John Stuart Mill respond to this critique? How does this response differentiate Mill's utilitarianism from that of his predecessor Jeremy Bentham? Does Mill's response offer a compelling defense of utilitarianism? Explain your answers.
D. Suppose that your best friend's spouse has confessed to cheating on your friend. You must decide whether to keep this information to yourself or pass this information along to your friend. Explain how act utilitarianism, rule utilitarianism, and Kantianism would differ in their respective approaches to resolving this dilemma. Which approach do you find most appealing? Explain your answers.