Descartes argues that because he thinks, (he wonders, he has conscious experience) he must exist as a thinking self. Hume answers that Descartes is not even entitled to this. Why is the existence of the self not in question? In other words, Hume argues that to say that there is such a thing as the “self” we must have an impression of it. But when we introspect, we find a multitude of thoughts, feelings, sensations, and more, but not a discernible “self” that we can point to. It is logically possible, Hume suggests, that instead of selves in the world there might be bundles of perceptions, i.e., a concentration of mental experiences without any specific essence. Do you agree with Hume? Explain. Moreover, how do you think Descartes would respond to Hume’s suggestion?
AS Instructions:
Write a 1000-word paper (roughly 3pages) that addresses the above questions. Be sure to be as thorough as you can; and as usual, write your response in such a fashion as to be understandable by anyone who has never taken philosophy.
Upload as a word document. You may use any style that you prefer, i.e., APA, MLA, Chicago.
This assignment tests the student’s retention and understanding of ethical theory studied in Unit 3.
AS Instructions: Read the following case and then answer using your knowledge of ethical theory:
Mary is an unmarried, eighteen-year-old, eight-week pregnant young woman. She now lives independently while going to college. She is an adoptee given back to foster care, and then abused in that system. She works 30 hours per week as a waitress in a local diner, while also earning a 4.0 GPA in school, ranking in the top 10% of her class. She has a full-ride scholarship for pre-med undergraduate studies at a prestigious university. She wants to be a doctor.
Mary has absolutely no family support, and her former boyfriend, who impregnated her, vanished quietly upon learning of the pregnancy. Mary is very determined to have a career as a doctor, but she is scared, lost, uninsured, and says that she doesn’t want to be pregnant or a mom—perhaps later, but not now! She rejects the adoption option, based on her own experience growing up, and contemplates abortion as a solution. She is seeking moral guidance. Since she is an atheist and, as such, distrusts the help and advice of religious authorities, she wants to talk to a wise moral philosopher.
Mary’s classmate informed her that you are a philosophical counselor.
Write a minimum of 1000 words (3 PAGES evaluating the pros and cons of an abortion for Mary. Also, make sure to explain to Mary the different approaches to a case like hers that a utilitarian, a deontologist, and a virtue ethicist would take. Upload as a word document. Use any writing style you prefer.