Exam 1: What Is the Purpose of Morality
Piggy tells Ralph that he is going to Jack to order him to return his glasses. "I don't ask for my glasses back as a favor. . . but because what's right's right. Give me my glasses. . . You got to." What is Piggy presupposing about the situation and about the significance of morality? What is Jack's response? How does he further respond upon being called a thief? Why is he infuriated by that charge?
Piggy is presupposing that there is a moral obligation for Jack to return his glasses because it is the right thing to do. He is emphasizing the significance of morality by stating that it is not a favor he is asking for, but rather a matter of what is right. Piggy is asserting that there is a moral standard that should be upheld, and that Jack is obligated to adhere to it by returning the glasses.
Jack's response to Piggy's demand is dismissive and defiant. He refuses to comply with Piggy's request and instead mocks him, further asserting his power and control over the situation. When Piggy calls him a thief, Jack becomes infuriated because it challenges his authority and questions his integrity. He sees it as a direct attack on his leadership and is unwilling to accept any criticism or accusation against him. This further demonstrates Jack's disregard for moral principles and his willingness to act in his own self-interest, regardless of the impact on others.
What, according to Pojman, is the main message of Lord of the Flies? Do you agree? Explain.
According to Pojman, the main message of Lord of the Flies is the inherent evil and darkness within human nature. He argues that the novel illustrates how, when left to their own devices without the constraints of society, individuals can descend into savagery and cruelty. The boys on the island, representing humanity as a whole, gradually lose their sense of morality and become consumed by their primal instincts.
I agree with Pojman's interpretation of the novel. The story of Lord of the Flies serves as a powerful allegory for the potential for evil within all of us. The descent of the boys into chaos and violence is a stark reminder of the fragility of civilization and the capacity for darkness within human nature. The novel serves as a cautionary tale, warning us of the dangers of unchecked power and the importance of maintaining a moral compass in the face of adversity.
In conclusion, I agree with Pojman's assessment that the main message of Lord of the Flies is the inherent darkness within human nature. The novel serves as a powerful reminder of the potential for evil within all of us and the importance of maintaining our moral compass in the face of adversity.
Hobbes developed a moral and political theory based on
D
What, if anything, is the significance of the conch and how do you interpret its destruction?
Hobbes found that a principal cause of conflict among people is
What is the main idea about morality that you get out of the selection from Lord of the Flies?
Hobbes declares that under the law of nature, people need not perform their covenants.
According to Hobbes, whenever and wherever people live without a common power to keep them all in awe, there is
In the seventeenth century, philosophers like Hobbes defied tradition by defending social contract theory.
Discuss Pojman's five purposes of morality. Do you agree morality has all of these purposes? If not, explain. Can you think of other purposes it has?
Pojman writes that one of the purposes of morality is to ameliorate human suffering.
Filters
- Essay(0)
- Multiple Choice(0)
- Short Answer(0)
- True False(0)
- Matching(0)