Death (Spring 2008) - Midterm

Answer four (4) questions. All key terms, theories, and named objections must be explained.

Answer one question from 1-2.

1. Explain the significance of Feldman's hypothetical cell separator for his analysis of "death."

2. How is remission a problem for Feldman's analysis of "dying."

Answer one question from 3-4.

3. Explain the duplication problem for the Personality Theory of personal identity.

4. What does Parfit think matters most in survival? Why does he think this?

Answer one question from 5-7.

5. Explain the Lottery Problem (discussed in class; aka Aladdin's Lamp Objection, see Bradley) with Feldman's theory of what makes something Extrinsically Bad.

6. What is the Immunity Thesis and why does Luper reject it?

7. Explain Brueckner and Fischer's solution to the asymmetry problem?

Answer one question from 8-9.

8. Why does Nagel reject the Experience Requirement?

9. Why does Rosenbaum think that we should accept the Experience Requirement?

Due Date

Thursday 4/17

Length

The complete midterm should be no more than 1,500 words. This is approximately 5 pages double-spaced with Arial 12 point font.

Format

The midterm must be typed. It should be double spaced. It should have one inch margins. You should use a 12 point font. I prefer Arial, since it is easy to read. Please follow the general paper and exam instructions under the "course documents / writing" section on Blackboard.

Procedure

You are required to hand in a paper copy at the start of class on the due date. In addition you must submit the midterm through TurnItIn via Blackboard by 11:59 pm on the due date. TurnItIn is a plagiarism detection tool. It will compare your paper against others available online, in journals, submitted in this class, Temple, and from all other universities that use the software.

Note: Plagiarism will result in a failing grade in the class, not just on this assignment.