Question Details

Why the Future Doesn't Need Us
To complete your fifth essay, please write a three- to five-page (600-900 word) response to the following question: 

In "Why the Future Doesn't Need Us" (pp. 285-301), Bill Joy expresses a powerful pessimism about the dangers of technologies that may be developed later in our century. Joy also a muted optimism about humans' ability to use ethical principles to avoid those dangers. What are Joy's best reasons for being pessimistic? What are his strongest reasons for expressing optimism? As you consider the relative strengths and weaknesses of those reasons, explain whether and why you find yourself more pessimistic or more optimistic about the issues that Joy raises.

WK 6 Technology
Preventing a Brave New World
To complete your sixth essay, please write a three- to five-page (900-1.500 word) response to the following question: 

In "Preventing a Brave New World" (pp.  317-329), Leon Kass concludes that reproductive and therapeutic cloning of human embryos is unethical. What are the exact steps in Kass's argument for this conclusion? What is your assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of this argument? 

WK 7 Technology
Ethics and Global Climate Change
To complete your seventh and final essay, please write a three- to five-page (900- 1,500 words) response to the following question: 

In "Ethics and Global Climate Change" (pp. 362-386), Stephen Gardiner argues that the richer nations should pay most of the costs for addressing global warming. What are Gardiner's strongest reasons for believing this? Do you find his rationales singly or collectively persuasive? If so please explain exactly why. If not, please explain exactly why not.