Directions:

You are to write four (4) of the following five (5) essays. The essays (each essay) should be about one to two pages in length, typed double spaced in MS Word (2003). [SUBMISSION SHOULD BE BY E-MAIL ATTACHMENT  AND NOT BY INCORPORATING YOUR ANSWER INTO AN E-MAIL MESSAGE: <Lawrence.Ulrich@notes.udayton.edu>]  You are to (1) recount what the authors you have read on the topic have said, (2) try to relate ideas with each other, and (3) state your own reactions/reflections about the issues under exploration. Please be clear about where your opinion begins. You should not merely state an opinion but give carefully considered reasons for your opinions. Remember that this is a philosophy course and the reasons which you develop and organize to support your opinions will be more important than the opinions themselves. Ultimately you should demonstrate that you (1) have read the text, (2) are familiar with the ideas, (3) have thought about them carefully, and (4) have been able to formulate soundly based opinions as a result of the reading you have done.

In submitting your work by e-mail attachment, please consult the Q&A Page for directions on submitting your work. Following the directions posted there as question number 1 will minimize any  problems you may have in submitting your work and my returning it to you.

1. What does it mean to have a right? Distinguish between moral and legal rights. Look at the Bills of Rights on the website. Identify three rights (and which Bill of Rights states them). Which you think could be characterized as "Human Rights," that is, rights that can apply to all human beings. Briefly explain the significance of those rights for human welfare. DO NOT use the UN Declaration of  Human  Rights for this answer.

2. What is cultural relativism?  In what way does cultural relativism create special problems for business practices in a global marketplace? In what way does cultural relativism nullify the notion of "Human Rights?" Do you think that the theory of cultural relativism is so convincing that there are no such things as "Human Rights?" Explain.

3. How does Brenkert characterize the notion of trust. Do you think it is possible to develop this kind of relationship in the global marketplace? Explain.

4. Eugene Heath addresses the issue of selfishness. You will find this article on ERESERVE along with Heath's article on Justice, which might be helpful to you in this essay. Does this context contribute to or detract from ethical business practices. Use the ethical systems and principles that we discussed in the first part of the course to explain the position you take on this matter.

5. State and explain Rawls' two principles of justice. Do you think that corporations could function effectively by following these two principles? Explain. Do you think our society could flourish if these two principles were practiced faithfully? Explain.