Deck 33: Climate, Collective Action, and Individual Ethical Obligations

Question 1

Summarize Walter Sinnott-Armstrong's case against the wrongness of taking a Sunday drive in a gas-guzzler. Then, explain Marion Hourdequin's objection. Finally, explain how Sinnott-Armstrong could push back against Hourdequin's objection.

Answer 1

-Correctly explain Sinnott-Armstrong's case against the wrongness of taking a Sunday drive in a gas-guzzler and Hourdequin's objection to it.
-Develop a plausible reply on Sinnott-Armstrong's behalf, using sound reasoning, well-chosen examples, insightful analogies, appeals to plausible principles, etc.

Question 2

Marion Hourdequin says, "consequentialist reasoning in the arguments for a political, but not personal, obligation with respect to climate change does not take adequate account of human psychology." First, explain Hourdequin's point here. Then, discuss how a consequentialist could reply to Hourdequin's challenge. Finally, imagine how Hourdequin might defend her point against the consequentialist's reply.

Answer 2

-Accurately explain Hourdequin's point in the quoted passage.
-Demonstrate understanding of consequentialism and the ability to apply that theory to the present issue.
-Develop a plausible reply on Hourdequin's behalf, demonstrating the ability to extend her views to this issue.

Question 3

Many philosophers have objected to consequentialism for being too demanding-it just asks too much of us. However, if Marion Hourdequin is right, then virtue ethics asks even more of us. Not only do we have to do the things that consequentialists say we have to do, but then we're supposed to have integrity as well, which places even more obligations on us! In the first part of your paper, try to formulate the demandingness objection to virtue ethics as best you can. Then, in the second part of your paper, try to defend virtue ethics against that challenge.

Answer 3

-Demonstrate an understanding of virtue ethics.
-Demonstrate the ability to construct an argument for the claim that virtue ethics is too demanding, using sound reasoning, well-chosen examples, insightful analogies, etc.
-Develop a reply on behalf of the virtue ethicist that shows an appreciation for the nature of that view.

Question 4

Which virtue does Hourdequin use as a ground for an obligation to reduce personal emissions?

A) Respect
B) Courage
C) Integrity
D) Individualism
E) Temperance

Question 5

What are the two aspects of integrity?

A) Honesty and equality
B) Aggregate and integration
C) Integration and integrality
D) Usefulness and integrality
E) Honesty and usefulness

Question 6

According to Hourdequin, although it might be okay for Al Gore to fly around the country promoting concern about climate change, ________:

A) He should fly economy rather than first class
B) He shouldn't fly on smaller airplanes, which are less fuel-efficient
C) He's still responsible for his household energy use
D) It would be wrong for him to take the same trips using a gas guzzler
E) It would be wrong for him to enjoy the plane rides

Question 7

According to Hourdequin, consequentialists sometimes fail to recognize ________:

A) That each person can make a dramatic difference regarding climate change
B) The wholeness of persons
C) The patience required with the political process
D) The difficulty of knowing whether climate change is real
E) The consequences of their own actions

Question 8

Hourdequin argues that Sinnott-Armstrong is wrong to say that reducing your personal emissions will result in a negligible net change in greenhouse gas emissions overall.

Question 9

What does Hourdequin contrast integrity with?

A) Hypocrisy
B) Falsehood
C) Deception
D) Cowardice
E) Deviousness

Question 10

According to Hourdequin, what's the intrapersonal value of integrity?

A) Knowing that you're making a difference concerning climate change
B) Preventing others from becoming cowardly
C) Bringing your beliefs, words, and actions into line with one another
D) That others will be less likely to question our sincerity
E) Ensuring that others recognize your moral goodness

Question 11

According to Hourdequin, what's the interpersonal value of integrity?

A) Knowing that you're making a difference concerning climate change
B) Preventing others from becoming cowardly
C) Bringing your beliefs, words, and actions into line with one another
D) That others will be less likely to question our sincerity
E) Ensuring that others recognize your moral goodness

Question 12

According to Mark Halfon, ________:

A) Sinnott-Armstrong is wrong that individuals can't substantially reduce total GHG emissions
B) Sinnott-Armstrong is correct that individuals can't substantially reduce total GHG emissions, but wrong that total GHG emissions are what matter when it comes to climate change
C) Integrity is valuable, but not nearly as valuable as political action
D) It makes sense to avoid becoming committed to particularly tricky issues like climate change
E) Life loses its meaning if we fail to fight against what we believe to be unjust

Question 13

According to Hourdequin, the idea that you ought to change society but you don't have to change yourself is ________:

A) Mark Halfon's view
B) A kind of individualism
C) A product of an unjust political order
D) A truth that is both unfortunate and discouraging
E) Appropriately less demanding than the view that you ought to change both