Question 1

How does Dershowitz respond to the contention that a system of court-authorized torture would create a dangerous precedent for torturing terror suspects that does not exist when torture is performed on an "off-the-books" basis? State his argument in your own words.

Accepted Answer

The answer of How does Dershowitz respond to the contention...

Question 2

How might one object to Dershowitz's claim that under an official "torture warrant" program there would likely be less torture of terrorism suspects than currently occurs? Be sure to state your objection as a complete argument.

Accepted Answer

The answer of How might one object to Dershowitz's claim...

Question 3

Which of the following best captures the basic question that Estes is trying to answer in this paper?
A) How can people satisfy the goals and expectations of their sexual partners?
B) What do mutually respectful relationships require?
C) What is mutually respectful sexual interaction?
D) How should laws define sexual assault and rape?

Accepted Answer

Estes is focused on understanding the nature of mutually respectful sexual interactions, aiming to clarify what constitutes respect in sexual contexts.

Question 4

Estes's main conclusion in this paper is:
A) Mutually respectful sexual interaction requires partners to express in explicit terms their voluntary participation in a sexual act.
B) Mutual respect requires that partners express their voluntary participation in a sexual act, exhibit concern for others' interests and needs, and attend to others' desires.
C) Mutual respect does not require that partners express their voluntary participation in a sexual act, exhibit concern for others' interests and needs, and attend to others' desires.
D) Objectification threatens the possibility of mutually respectful sexual interaction because it depersonalizes people by treating a sexually appealing characteristic as more important than the unique individual who has that characteristic.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Estes's main conclusion in this paper is:
A)...

Question 5

Of the following explanations, which most accurately captures the explanation of the idea of sex that Estes employs in this paper?
A) Sex means the vast range of possible interactions and relationships between people that arouse and satisfy someone's sex drive.
B) Sex means penetrative sex but not activities such as petting or hula-hooping in a tub of green Jell-O with a stranger.
C) Sex means sexual interactions in which there exist reciprocal consent, concern, and desire on the part of all partners involved.
D) Sex means sexual activities that are mutually satisfying and contribute to the moral positive growth of all partners involved.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Of the following explanations, which most accurately...

Question 6

Which of the following best captures Estes's argument for the existence of human dignity and how humans should be treated?
A) Since humans have the free capacity to conceive and will their own goals, they have invaluable dignity, and since they have dignity, they deserve to be treated with respect.
B) Since humans are self-conscious and can think for themselves, they have moral worth and they should respect the mental capacities of each other.
C) Since humans, unlike robots, have their own emotional lives, they have invaluable dignity and their feelings and bodies deserve respect.
D) If humans want to be considered beings with dignity and be treated with respect, then they should treat other humans as beings with dignity and as deserving respect.

Accepted Answer

Estes's argument for human dignity is based on the unique human capacity to conceive and will their own goals, which grants them an invaluable dignity. This dignity then necessitates that humans be treated with respect, aligning with choice A's emphasis on the connection between human capacity for goal-setting and the deserved treatment of respect.

Question 7

Which of the following best captures Estes's argument that reciprocal concern requires that sexual partners demonstrate regard for the other's interests and needs beyond simply his or her sexual well-being?
A) Since every human has dignity and deserves respect, people must promote the well-being, interests, and needs of their sexual partners beyond simply their sexual well-being.
B) Since we cannot separate our sexuality from our personality, humanity, and well-being more generally, sexual partners must show regard for each other's well-being overall to engage in mutually respectful sex.
C) Love involves not simply desiring sex with one's partner, but also caring about the well-being, interests, and needs of one's partner.
D) Since we can separate our sexuality from our personality, humanity, and well-being more generally, sexual partners need not show regard for each other's well-being overall to engage in mutually respectful sex.

Accepted Answer

Estes argues that our sexuality is intertwined with our overall personality and humanity, implying that respectful sexual relationships must consider the partner's overall well-being, not just their sexual satisfaction.

Question 8

Which of the following best captures Estes's argument that mutual respect compels each sexual partner to attend to each other's desires?
A) Reciprocal desire is necessary for mutually respectful sexual interactions because embodied desire is constitutive of sex.
B) Reciprocal desire is necessary for mutually respectful sexual interactions because sexuality cannot be separated from people's interests, needs, and well-being more generally.
C) Reciprocal desire is necessary for mutual respect because sex without desire can result in sensual or emotional dissatisfaction and even physical or psychological trauma.
D) Reciprocal desire is necessary for mutual respect because sex without desire generally involves physical or psychological trauma.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following best captures Estes's...

Question 9

Why, according to Estes, do communications of consent, concern, and desire about sex not necessarily have to be direct, explicit, and specific?
A) It is best that partners sign a legally binding contract to establish reciprocal consent, concern, and desire.
B) Explicit forms of communication can detract from the sexual or romantic nature of a sexual interaction.
C) Communications of consent, concern, and desire do not have to exist as long as partners love each other and are in a stable romantic relationship.
D) More subtle forms of communication can also lead to partners having reasonable conscientious belief that reciprocal consent, concern, and desire exist.

Accepted Answer

Subtle forms of communication can effectively convey mutual consent, concern, and desire, allowing partners to have a reasonable belief in their existence without needing explicit statements.

Question 10

Why does Estes discuss the claim that you should try to learn as much about your partner as possible by communicating about sexual desires and subjects not having to do with sex?
A) Estes is reporting what other philosophers claim about mutually respectful sex.
B) Estes considers this claim an objection to the argument that sexuality can be separated from the humanity, personality, and general well-being of people.
C) Estes uses this claim to illustrate how you could reduce the chance of miscommunication and help meet the criteria for mutually respectful sex.
D) Estes considers this claim an objection to the argument that communication about consent, concern, and desire only needs to be implicit rather than explicit.

Accepted Answer

Estes uses this claim to illustrate how communication can reduce miscommunication and help meet the criteria for mutually respectful sex.

Question 11

Of the following explanations, which most accurately explains the idea of objectification?
A) Objectification involves treating a person as an object rather than as a subject.
B) Objectification threatens the possibility of mutually respectful sexual interaction because it depersonalizes people.
C) Objectification is the sexual obsession or fetishizing of some act, prop, or body part as crucial for sexual arousal or satisfaction.
D) Objectification involves treating a sexually appealing characteristic as mattering more than the individual who has that characteristic.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Of the following explanations, which most accurately...

Question 12

Which of the following best captures Estes's argument for the claim that irreconcilability and inattentiveness jeopardize reciprocal desire and concern?
A) Irreconcilability and inattentiveness increase the chances that people will feel deprived or abused and so threaten the possibility of having a sexual relationship based on mutual respect.
B) Irreconcilability and inattentiveness jeopardize reciprocal desire and concern because people should only enter sexual relationships in which they have the same expectations and levels of lust as their partners.
C) Irreconcilability and inattentiveness challenge us to cultivate the range of our desires and to satisfy the desires of our partners.
D) Irreconcilability and inattentiveness mean that one loses track of one's partner's needs and interests and cares only about the fulfillment of one's own sexual desires.

Accepted Answer

Estes argues that irreconcilability and inattentiveness can lead to feelings of deprivation or abuse, which undermines the foundation of mutual respect necessary for a healthy sexual relationship.

Question 13

Estes argues that:
A) Sadomasochism always results in disrespectful sexual encounters because sexual activity should result in pleasure and not involve any pain.
B) Casual sex is unlikely to violate the criteria for mutually respectful sex because it is not as serious as sex with partners with whom one is in a long-term relationship.
C) We should insist on direct, explicit, and specific communication when having casual sex because there is more risk of miscommunication that could undermine mutually respectful sex.
D) Casual sex will violate the criteria for mutually respectful sex because it involves irreconcilable sexual expectations and goals as a result of subtle and implicit communications about consent.

Accepted Answer

Estes emphasizes the importance of clear and explicit communication in casual sex to prevent miscommunication and ensure that the encounter respects the boundaries and consent of all parties involved.

Question 14

Estes argues that:
A) Using danger or substances to enhance a sexual experience always violates the criteria of mutually respectful sex because partners will be incapable of giving consent when their judgment is impaired by drugs.
B) Using danger or substances to enhance a sexual experience presents risks to having mutually respectful sex, but such risks could potentially be reduced by being mutually informed and exercising extreme caution.
C) People should never use danger or substances to enhance their sexual experiences because people shouldn't engage in risky behaviors.
D) People should not use danger or substances to enhance their sexual experiences because they can have sexual experiences that are just as pleasurable without the use of danger or substances.

Accepted Answer

Estes acknowledges the risks involved in using danger or substances to enhance sexual experiences but suggests that these risks can be mitigated through mutual information and caution, rather than outright stating such practices always violate consent or should never be engaged in.

Question 15

Which of the following can we infer from Estes's claim that what matters is not how communication about voluntary participation in sex was achieved but that each partner possessed a reasonable conscientious belief that reciprocal consent, concern, and desire existed?
A) Communication should be explicit rather than implicit to establish a reasonable conscientious belief in all partners that reciprocal consent, concern, and desire exist.
B) It matters more that sexual partners desire to have sex with each other than the existence of their beliefs that each one consents to having sex.
C) In certain circumstances, it may be possible that a single subtle gesture such as a wink is sufficient to cause partners to have a reasonable belief that reciprocal consent, concern, and desire exist.
D) Nonlinguistic forms of communication are unable to establish a reasonable conscientious belief in all partners that reciprocal consent, concern, and desire exist.

Accepted Answer

Estes's claim emphasizes the importance of each partner having a reasonable conscientious belief in reciprocal consent, concern, and desire, regardless of how this belief is communicated. This suggests that even subtle gestures could suffice to establish such a belief, indicating that the method of communication (whether explicit, implicit, linguistic, or nonlinguistic) is less important than the existence of the belief itself.

Question 16

Assume that Estes is correct that many seemingly innocuous activities could violate the criteria of reciprocal consent, concern, and desire, while many seemingly harmful activities could satisfy them. Which of the following could you infer from that claim?
A) Conventional norms of sex do not necessarily guarantee mutually respectful sex, and each sexual interaction should be individually evaluated to see whether and how it can meet the criteria of mutually respectful sex.
B) Some forms of sexual activity are inherently safe and ensure fulfillment of criteria of reciprocal consent, concern, and desire.
C) Communication about voluntary participation does not need to be explicit to cause sexual partners to have a reasonable conscientious belief that reciprocal consent and desire exist.
D) Using drugs to enhance or alter sexual stimulation is always harmful and violates the criteria of reciprocal consent, concern, and desire.

Accepted Answer

Estes's claim suggests that conventional norms do not always align with the criteria of reciprocal consent, concern, and desire, implying the need for individual evaluation of each sexual interaction.

Question 17

Which of the following would count as an objection to Estes's claim that mutual respect requires at least implicit expression of the voluntary participation of sexual partners in a sexual act?
A) Mutual respect requires not just that people communicate with their partners about consenting to sex, but also that they exhibit concern for each other's general well-being and attend to each other's sexual desires.
B) Mutual respect always demands explicit and not simply implicit expressions of consent because it is too easy for implicit forms of communication to lead to miscommunication and misunderstandings.
C) Mutual respect always demands explicit and not simply implicit expressions of consent because what matters ultimately is not the form of the communication itself but whether people have reasonable conscientious beliefs that reciprocal consent exists.
D) Mutual respect requires that people communicate not only about their consent, goals, and expectations about specific sex acts but also about their goals and expectations about their romantic relationships with their partners.

Accepted Answer

Implicit expressions of consent can lead to misunderstandings, so explicit consent is necessary for mutual respect, countering Estes's claim.

Question 18

Estes identifies humanity with its free capacity to conceive and will its own goals, which entails that humans have dignity and deserve respect.

Accepted Answer

Estes' identification of humanity with its free capacity to conceive and will its own goals underlines the inherent dignity of humans and the respect they deserve, as it emphasizes autonomy and the ability to determine one's own path, which are key aspects of human dignity.

Question 19

Estes argues that mutual respect requires that sexual partners give explicit, or at least implicit, expression of their voluntary participation in a sexual act.

Accepted Answer

Estes emphasizes the importance of mutual respect in sexual relationships, which necessitates that all parties involved express their consent, whether explicitly or implicitly, to ensure voluntary participation in the sexual act. This perspective underscores the ethical requirement of acknowledging and respecting each partner's autonomy and willingness.

Question 20

According to Estes, mutual respect does not demand that each sexual partner exhibits concern for the other's interests, needs, or well-being beyond their sexual well-being.

Accepted Answer

Estes emphasizes that mutual respect in sexual relationships requires concern for the other's interests, needs, and well-being beyond just their sexual well-being, indicating a broader scope of care and respect.

Quiz 13: Aristotle's Ethics: Exploring Virtue and Justice

How does Dershowitz respond to the contention that a system of court-authorized torture would create a dangerous precedent for torturing terror suspects that does not exist when torture is performed on an "off-the-books" basis? State his argument in your own words.

How might one object to Dershowitz's claim that under an official "torture warrant" program there would likely be less torture of terrorism suspects than currently occurs? Be sure to state your objection as a complete argument.

Which of the following best captures the basic question that Estes is trying to answer in this paper?

Estes's main conclusion in this paper is:

Of the following explanations, which most accurately captures the explanation of the idea of sex that Estes employs in this paper?

Which of the following best captures Estes's argument for the existence of human dignity and how humans should be treated?

Which of the following best captures Estes's argument that reciprocal concern requires that sexual partners demonstrate regard for the other's interests and needs beyond simply his or her sexual well-being?

Which of the following best captures Estes's argument that mutual respect compels each sexual partner to attend to each other's desires?

Why, according to Estes, do communications of consent, concern, and desire about sex not necessarily have to be direct, explicit, and specific?

Why does Estes discuss the claim that you should try to learn as much about your partner as possible by communicating about sexual desires and subjects not having to do with sex?

Of the following explanations, which most accurately explains the idea of objectification?

Which of the following best captures Estes's argument for the claim that irreconcilability and inattentiveness jeopardize reciprocal desire and concern?

Estes argues that:

Estes argues that:

Which of the following can we infer from Estes's claim that what matters is not how communication about voluntary participation in sex was achieved but that each partner possessed a reasonable conscientious belief that reciprocal consent, concern, and desire existed?

Assume that Estes is correct that many seemingly innocuous activities could violate the criteria of reciprocal consent, concern, and desire, while many seemingly harmful activities could satisfy them. Which of the following could you infer from that claim?

Which of the following would count as an objection to Estes's claim that mutual respect requires at least implicit expression of the voluntary participation of sexual partners in a sexual act?

Estes identifies humanity with its free capacity to conceive and will its own goals, which entails that humans have dignity and deserve respect.

Estes argues that mutual respect requires that sexual partners give explicit, or at least implicit, expression of their voluntary participation in a sexual act.

According to Estes, mutual respect does not demand that each sexual partner exhibits concern for the other's interests, needs, or well-being beyond their sexual well-being.