Consider the following scenario: John Doe comes to work one day to discover that his boss has sent an email to all employees requiring them to pick their nose on Thursdays between the hours of 10 and 11. Struck by the surprising nature of this new policy, Doe heads to his bosss office and asks for an explanation. The following dialogue ensues: Doe: So, why are we supposed to pick our nose on Thursday mornings? Boss: Because Im the boss, and because I said so. Doe: Yes, but why do you say so? Boss: Well, because its obviously morally required of you, and I want to ensure that all my employees are decent people. Doe: Okay, but I still dont get it. Why is it morally required of us to pick our nose on Thursday mornings? Boss: Because I said so, dang it. Now, get out of my office. In light of our discussion on the Euthyphro question, answer the following questions: 1. The boss is actually caught in a contradiction here. What is that contradiction, and why is it contradictory? 2. Imagine that it wasnt Does boss talking, but Does buddy, or Does entire social circle, or even Doe himself. For that matter, imagine it was somebody Doe respects very muchsomeone whom Doe thinks is morally very wise or even infallible. Would the combination of answers to Does questions be any less contradictory? 3. Suppose the boss answers Does last question differently, by saying any of the following: a. Well, Doe, thats because picking the nose clears out the nasal passages and thus improves employee health. Gotta pick em all! b. Doe, Id explain my reasons, but I dont think youre quite intelligent enough to understand them. Dont worry though, I really do have excellent reasons for why its morally required of you. c. April Fools! I was just yanking your chain. Id never really require you to pick your nose on Thursday mornings, because of course thats stupid. How would each of these responses resolve the contradiction? What would each of these responses imply about whether the boss can simply make up the moral facts, and why? 4. In light of the above, what is the standard reason for rejecting divine command theory, cultural relativism, subjective relativism, and any similar moral theory? Your response to this prompt should be an essay of about two to three pages in length, double- spaced, with one-inch margins, and 12-point font.
The post sent an email to all employees requiring appeared first on My Assignment Online.