Phil 133 ("Ethics in Science")

Spring 2018

 

CASES FOR THE FINAL EXAM

 

Attached are the three cases that will appear on the final exam.  For each of them, you may be asked a set of focused questions about the main issues we have been considering in our discussions of the case studies this term, namely:

 

  1. Points of conflict between obligations and/or interests of the protagonist
  2. Interested parties
  3. Possible consequences (good or bad) of different courses of action
  4. Obligations of the protagonist (and, possibly, obligations of another interested party central to the case)

 

Remember that it is important to be clear and thorough, and to give reasons that support your claims.  It is not important that you recommend a course of action I agree with!

 

On the exam, you will be asked to describe one of these four issues (with a bulleted list, as we have done in our initial responses to and in-class discussions of case studies) or to respond to a set of focused questions (as we have done in the quizzes after our discussions of the case studies) for each case.  However, you won't know which of these things you'll be asked to do for a particular case until you see the exam.  So, as a matter of strategy, you should prepare all four issues for each of the cases.

 

You don't have to prepare alone!  In our Canvas Discussion area, there are topics devoted to each of the three cases.  Discussing the cases online may be an effective (and even entertaining) way to prepare the cases for the exam. Plus, it will count positively toward your participation grade for the course!

 


 




Bebeau's "Developing a Well-Reasoned Response to a Moral Problem in Scientific Research" gives the following advice that bears repeating:

 

"When you develop your response, focus on the reasons the protagonist should or should not do something.  Do not just pronounce an act as ethical or unethical; tell why you think so.  In considering why an action is acceptable or unacceptable, it may be helpful to consider:

Note that each problem usually contains two or more issues; you should try to describe all of them." (p. 3)

 

 

THE CASES:

CASE 1

CASE 2

CASE 3

 

Discuss cases (using Canvas)

 

 

Final exam review sheet

 

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