Deck 1: Dustin Crummett and Chad McIntosh, “Introduction to the Left and Right”

Question 1

In his essay, Chad McIntosh claims that "The cold hard truth, one acknowledged by nearly every keen observer of humanity throughout history, is that the arc of man's moral nature is long, and it bends not toward justice, but evil." In your essay, explain what McIntosh describes as the problem of the "ineradicability of evil." Do you think that the problem of evil really is ineradicable? Or, do you think that there are things that we can do to manage "human wickedness"? Defend your claim, providing an example that helps to illustrate your point.

Answer 1

Describe what McIntosh means by the "ineradicability of evil," drawing from his essay
Argue that it is not possible to overcome evil that humans perpetuate. Or,
Argue that there are measures that societies can take to temper the problem of evil. Or,
Argue that some combination of the above-mentioned stances is possible and defensible
Provide an illustrative example that helps to illuminate this claim, expounding upon one of the cases brought up in this debate, or introducing a new example

Question 2

In his essay, Dustin Crummett explains part of what is involved in the social egalitarian picture. He says:
When it comes to power relations, egalitarians generally support making them reciprocal where possible, so that no one has unaccountable power over another. … Where this reciprocity isn't feasible-as may be the case with, say, a sergeant and a private-egalitarians still insist that the authority possessed by the superior must be justified in terms of the general good, and must be only that which is necessary to promote that good.
Clearly, Crummett believes that people in power should be held accountable and that power can be justified when it promotes the common good. In your essay, offer a description of what it would look like to make sure that people in power are held accountable. Then, explain what would be involved in checking to see if power does, in fact, uphold the general good. Finally, consider whether the processes you've described are implementable in real-world cases. Briefly consider, does your description complicate or support Crummett's picture?

Answer 2

Offer a description, perhaps providing an example, of what would be involved in holding people in power accountable for their power
Offer a description, perhaps providing an example, of what would be involved in ensuring that some exercise of power can be justified by reference to the common good
Consider whether these measures could be implemented in real world cases
Briefly link this discussion to the wider left vs. right debate

Question 3

In their replies, Dustin Crummett and Chad McIntosh clash over their understandings of the relationship between freedom and equality. Crummett affirms that "Social equality is necessary for freedom worth having," while McIntosh says that "You can't have both a government powerful enough to enforce social equality and a free democracy devoid of the possibility of social inequalities." In your essay, defend a view about the relative worth of Crummett's "freedom worth having" and McIntosh's free democracies.

Answer 3

Explain the meanings of the terms at issue
Provide a case for the relative importance or unimportance of "freedom worth having" and free democracies
Draw on the arguments that Crummett and/or McIntosh give, as appropriate

Question 4

Throughout his essay, Crummett explains and considers the implications of a key view for his position. What is it?

A) Anti-oppression Activism
B) Social Egalitarianism
C) Nationalist Isolationism
D) Economic Redistributionism

Question 5

In his essay, which description of equality does Crummett support?

A) People should be made equally well-off
B) People should be treated the same
C) People should all share the same amount of power
D) People should enjoy equal relationships with each other

Question 6

In his essay, Crummett describes four types of unequal relations between groups. Which of the following is NOT one of those relations?

A) Domination
B) Degradation
C) Disregard
D) Exploitation

Question 7

In his essay, McIntosh affirms that conservatism is all about _____:

A) Conserving the tried and true
B) Maintenance of the status quo
C) Allegiance to past institutional structures
D) The practice of compassion and fairness

Question 8

In his essay, what does McIntosh claim is the most basic unit in society?

A) The individual
B) Local governments
C) The family
D) Grassroots movements

Question 9

In his essay, McIntosh includes multiple pop-culture references in order to illustrate his points. Which of the following is NOT one of those references?

A) Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight
B) J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings
C) John Lennon's "Imagine"
D) C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia

Question 10

In his essay, McIntosh claims: "Diversity per se, far from being bad, is good. What's bad is unity in diversity."

Question 11

In his reply, Crummett focuses on McIntosh's views on two particular issues. What are they?

A) Equality and justice
B) Liberty and labor
C) Freedom and equality
D) Totalitarianism and anarchy

Question 12

In his reply, McIntosh offers five objections to McIntosh's position. Which of the following is NOT one of those objections?

A) Social equality demands too much sacrifice from family units
B) The ideal of social equality fosters undue skepticism of all hierarchies
C) Attempting to enforce social equality with the law is unjust and self-refuting
D) The concern for social equality seems curiously selective

Question 13

Which author expresses the concern that Americans are currently living "under someone else's thumb" in his reply?

A) Dustin Crummett
B) Chad McIntosh