Essay Prompts

Compare constructivism and moral realism on the source of moral facts. Which view better explains moral disagreement?

Suggested readings: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3

Defend or reject expressivism as a response to the Frege-Geach problem.

Suggested readings: 1.4, 1.5

Assess the prospects for moral naturalism in light of the open question argument.

Suggested readings: 1.1, 1.6

Is constructivism best understood as a form of realism or anti-realism? Argue for one side.

Suggested readings: 1.2, 1.7

Compare Rossian pluralism and consequentialism on the structure of moral reasons. Which is more plausible?

Suggested readings: 2.1, 2.2

Can consequentialism accommodate agent-centered constraints? Defend your answer.

Suggested readings: 2.3, 2.4

Discuss the role of special obligations in Rossian pluralism. Are they defensible?

Suggested readings: 2.1, 2.5

Evaluate the objection that Rossian pluralism lacks a decision procedure.

Suggested readings: 2.1, 2.2

Compare hedonism and desire-satisfaction theories of well-being. Which provides a better account?

Suggested readings: 3.1, 3.2

Is the experience machine a decisive objection to hedonism? Defend your view.

Suggested readings: 3.1, 3.3

Assess objective list theories against the problem of alienation.

Suggested readings: 3.4, 3.5

Do hybrid theories of well-being avoid the main objections to hedonism and desire theories?

Suggested readings: 3.2, 3.4

Compare value alignment approaches grounded in preferences vs. those grounded in objective values.

Suggested readings: 4.1, 4.2

Should AI systems incorporate moral uncertainty or commit to a specific moral theory? Defend your answer.

Suggested readings: 4.3, 4.4

Discuss the moral architecture of AI systems: top-down vs. bottom-up approaches.

Suggested readings: 4.1, 4.5

Evaluate whether longtermist considerations should dominate AI ethics policy decisions.

Suggested readings: 4.6, 4.7

Explain how constructivism addresses the queerness objection to moral realism.

Suggested readings: 1.2, 1.3

Is consequentialism better suited than pluralism for AI policy evaluation? Argue your view.

Suggested readings: 2.2, 4.1

What role should well-being measures play in public policy? Discuss with reference to measurement debates.

Suggested readings: 3.6, 3.7

How should we balance fairness and utility in algorithmic decision-making?

Suggested readings: 4.2, 4.8

Can quasi-realism secure robust moral truth without metaphysical commitments? Defend your answer.

Suggested readings: 1.5, 1.8

Does the separateness of persons objection undermine utilitarianism? Explain.

Suggested readings: 2.3, 2.6