(9) Essay Question: Rights & responsibilities (Abortion)
If women are allowed to abort a child without the consent of the sperm donator do men have any obligation to pay child support for children they do not want? Do these rights/responsibilities have anything to do with each other?
(15) Essay Question: Rights & responsibilities (Children)
Suppose that we said that any pregnancy, no matter how painfully produced, is a gift from the Universe to our human community. If, after a period of time in which the child is raised by birth parents alone, it becomes clear that, despite a strong bond between the child and caregivers, the cost/benefit analysis for the child is very poor, how should the other family, immediate community/larger society respond? Should the child be taken away from the parents?
(22) Essay Question: Legal Punishment – Death Penalty
One argument against the application of the death penalty as a deterrent is that the person who is killed might not have ever gone on to take another life. As a result, killing them does not prevent a death, but only brings one about. Supporters of the death penalty sometimes reply that it’s OK for a prisoner to lose their life, even if they never would have killed again. How could you justify their position? How could someone who opposes the death penalty respond?
(29) Essay Question: Suicide Bombers (Violence, Terrorism and War)
Bring up and discuss at least 3 factors that are thought to enable/cause young people to become suicide bombers.
(39) Essay Question: Consistency between Issues
Is it possible to be against abortion on the grounds that it takes a human life, while still being for the death penalty? Why/Why not?
