Deck 20: Symbolic Protest and Calculated Silence

Question 1

Thomas E. Hill's goal is to show that there are plausible deontological principles that require one to protest injustice, even when doing so achieves little to nothing. Briefly explain Hill's view. Next, explain why someone might think that you shouldn't protest in such cases-or, at least, that you aren't obligated to protest in those cases. Which position do you find most compelling? Why?

Answer 1

Demonstrate understanding of Hill's position and his argument for it.
Develop a thoughtful alternative to Hill's position.
Develop a plausible stance on the two positions, correctly identifying and defending controversial claims using sound reasoning, helpful analogies, appeals to plausible principles, etc.

Question 2

The reason Thomas E. Hill offers for the duty to dissociate from corrupt individuals and groups is that not disassociating makes you indiscriminate and weakens your association with the good. This assumes that associating with a person or group involves identifying with their values. Do you grant that assumption? Why or why not?

Answer 2

Develop a plausible stance on the assumption, correctly identifying and defending controversial claims using sound reasoning, helpful analogies, appeals to plausible principles, etc.

Question 3

Thomas E. Hill discusses utilitarian and deontological views about protesting injustice. He does not discuss virtue ethics, although he does say that the people you associate with are related to what sort of person you are. What virtue might you be exercising in protesting injustice, or, what vice could you be displaying in failing to do so? Do you find a virtue-based approach helpful? Why or why not?

Answer 3

Demonstrate understanding of virtue ethics.
Provide a thoughtful application of virtue ethics to the issue of protesting (or failing to protest) injustice.
Develop a thoughtful stance on the contribution that virtue ethics can make to the ethics of protest, correctly identifying and defending controversial claims using sound reasoning, helpful analogies, appeals to plausible principles, etc.

Question 4

Which of the following is the moral framework Hill is most interested in exploring?

A) Egoism
B) Deontology
C) Utilitarianism
D) Virtue ethics
E) Contractualism

Question 5

Which of the following moral frameworks does Hill explicitly and deliberately set aside in his discussion?

A) Egoism
B) Deontology
C) Utilitarianism
D) Virtue ethics
E) Contractualism

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a feature of the kind of protest of injustice that Hill discusses?

A) The injustice committed is significant
B) The protest is not a remedy for the injustice
C) Protesting may result in harm for the protester
D) The protestor is a victim of the protested injustice
E) None of these is a feature of the kind of protest that Hill discusses

Question 7

Which of the following is a deontological duty that Hill believes is adequate to justify protesting injustice?

A) The duty to tell the truth
B) The duty not to slander
C) The duty not to harm innocents
D) The duty not to be complicit in wrongdoing
E) The duty to treat persons as ends in themselves

Question 8

Hill thinks that protesting injustice, according to certain familiar deontological principles, is morally ________:

A) Impermissible
B) Obligatory
C) Permissible
D) Neutral
E) Callous

Question 9

Hill thinks that certain familiar deontological principles may ________ complicity with people who perpetrate injustice.

A) Forbid
B) Require
C) Permit
D) Encourage
E) Celebrate

Question 10

Hill appeals to Kant's view about the morality of disassociation where what's important is that the protestor does what?

A) Commits himself to telling the truth
B) Refuses to harm innocent people
C) Refuses to treat perpetrators of injustice as means to an end
D) Keeps his hands clean
E) Avoids whitewashing the bloody deeds of others

Question 11

According to Hill, protest is always a part of dissociating oneself from a corrupt group.

Question 12

Genuine protest, as Hill describes it, is always an overt, public action.

Question 13

Hill agrees that when one associates with wrongdoers one becomes guilty for their wrongdoing.