According to Kant’s ethics, how does an individual determine whether their actions are in conformity with duty?

(30 points total; 10 points for each of the following questions.)

Questions:

According to Kant’s ethics, how does an individual determine whether their actions are in conformity with duty? First, briefly explain the categorical imperative and then choose one of the four illustrations (see pp. 594-5) Kant offers and explain how the categorical imperative (the first formulation) should be applied to the chosen illustration.

How does John Locke distinguish between primary and secondary qualities? First, explain what Locke means by the term ‘quality’, and then explain the differences between primary and secondary qualities. Offer your own examples to help make the distinction clear.

How is the Principle of Sufficient Reason (PSR) used by the advocate of the Cosmological Argument to justify the two premises of the argument? Make sure to clearly define dependent and self-existent beings, and also to explain the two parts of PSR and how each part is used to justify a different premise of the argument. (See Rowe’s article; pp. 47-55.)

Instructions

This is an essay exam. Students are expected to write in clear and concise sentences. Answers should reflect engagement both with the readings and course material. Make sure to fully answer each question and to proofread your answers before you turn them in, and to look for any spelling or grammatical mistakes.

You do not need to use any sources other than your textbook and the course material to complete this assignment. If you use sources other than your textbook or the course material (for example, websites or articles), you need to include a complete list of sources at the end of your paper. When quoting from the course textbook make sure to specify the page number where the quotation can be found. A simple reference at the end of the quotation will suffice, such as: (p. 42) or (42). All quotations from course or secondary material should be clearly indicated with quotation marks and properly cited. You should try as much as possible to use your own words and not rely too heavily on quotations from the textbook or the lecture material. A few short quotations per answer are acceptable. But the focus should be on explaining the concepts in your own words. Each of your answers should be roughly half-a-page to a page in length (single-spaced), or 350-700 words each (1050-2100 words total), but feel free to write more if necessary. If you have any questions about the exam feel free to email me.