How the Discussion Period Works

The course assessment will comprise (1) an exam that will account for 90% of your
final grade, and (2) an in-class discussion, which will account for 10% of your final
grade. This document relates to the in-class discussion.

The first hour of Lectures 2-13 is reserved for in-class discussion (the ‘discussion
period’). Between 4-6 students have been designated to act as ‘discussion leaders’ in
each discussion period. By the conclusion of the course, each student in the course
will have served as a discussion leader one time. In each discussion period, we will
examine up to two questions (related to the topic of the previous lecture). Most of
these questions are past exam questions; as such, this exercise is excellent
preparation for the final exam. Each discussion leader must, independently,
compose a written response to one of these two questions, and be prepared to
discuss their thoughts in class (as with the exam, you are free to choose between
the two questions). The discussion leaders will help lead a general class discussion in
which all students in the class are encouraged to contribute their opinions.

This written response (the ‘outline’) must be (1) typed, (2) in point form, and (3) not
exceeding one page. Discussion leaders must email the instructor their outlines in
PDF form (bearing their name and the last 4 digits of their student number) at least
24 hours before the lecture or you will not be allowed to serve as a discussion
leader. Email your outline (with your class and lecture number in the email subject
line) to bryandruzin@cuhk.edu.hk. There are three possible marks for the written
responses: Fail (0%), Pass (5%), or Good (10%).

Your name (along with the last four digits from your student number) is listed below
under a specific discussion period. If you cannot find your name, please contact me
immediately as you will lose 10% of your grade if you do not serve as a discussion
leader.

Prof. Bryan Druzin

December 2023
Lecture 2—Discussion Period

Question 1
You are among a group of Jews hiding silently in the basement of a house in WWII. Nazi
soldiers are in the house and will be alerted by any sound. A baby hiding with you begins to
cry loudly and cannot be stopped. Smothering it to death is the only way to silence it and
save the lives of everyone in the group. What would you do? Support your position logically,
providing critical analysis.

Question 2
What problems arise not when individuals apply utilitarianism as a normative theory of
personal morality but when governments apply it to guide the way they rule?

Note: below are the discussion leaders responsible for the Lecture 1 content. Discussion
leaders responsible for the content from Lecture 2 will present in the first hour of Lecture 3,
and so on for the remainder of the course.

Discussion leaders Discussion leaders Discussion leaders

(Class A) (Class B) (Class C)
9582 3678 6100
AU, Yau 區繇 ZHUANG, Yiling 庄逸灵 HO, Che Hang Ernest 何知行
7258 5664 9665
FU, Zechuan 付澤川 YU, Tsz Yan 余芷昕 KWAI, Ka Man 季嘉敏
3872 3384 1135
ZHANG, Rongke 張榕珂 WOO, Shek Hin 胡碩軒 ZHANG, Mingcan 張鳴璨
7898 5674 7298
CHAN, Christabel Hoi Ching 陳 YANG, Hejun 楊賀鈞 TO, Chun Yin 陶俊諺
8155 7409 1094
GUO, Jiani 郭佳妮 ZHU, Xiaowei 朱笑薇 WONG, Ching Ip 黃靖燁

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Lecture 3—Discussion Period

Question 1
“It would be immoral to kill baby Hitler. But it would be moral to kill the adult Hitler.” Do
you agree with this statement? Support your position logically, providing critical analysis.

Question 2
What would you do in the thought experiment Transplant? Support your position logically,
providing critical analysis.

Discussion leaders Discussion leaders Discussion leaders

(Class A) (Class B) (Class C)
8052 8948 8253
XU, Ziwei 徐紫 WAN, Nga Man 温 WONG, Kin Long 黃健朗
0422 5442 9306
ZHOU, Yangyang 周楊楊 XU, Chen 許宸 WONG, Wing Lam 黃穎琳
0085 5573 2853
LEE, Shu Kong 李樹江 XU, Ruijun 徐瑞君 CHAN, Ka Ki 陳嘉琪
5417 3256 9650
PEI, Haixin 海鑫 YAN, Chi Kiu 甄子蕎 CHEN, Yunping 陳云平
0307 8284 2309
CHOW, Hoi Ki 周琪 CHEN, Yuchen 陳昱辰 LAU, Nga Yi 劉雅懿

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Lecture 4—Discussion Period

Question 1
You are marooned on a small, deserted island with nine people who are all strangers to you
and to each other. There is no hope of rescue. There is likely just enough wildlife and
vegetation on the island for all of you to survive. However, there is no guarantee that this is
the case. Would you prefer your fellow castaways to be utilitarianists, deontologists, or
virtue ethicists? Why? Explain your reasoning and provide critical analysis.

Question 2
On your way to school, you get into an argument with an elderly man who cuts the queue in
front of you at the door to an MTR carriage. Once inside, you yell at him to line up “like
every other ethical human being.” Brazenly, he shouts back, “What’s the big deal – what’s
so unethical about cutting a line?” How would you respond?

Discussion leaders Discussion leaders Discussion leaders

(Class A) (Class B) (Class C)
5997 5618 9142
HUANG, Haocheng 黃皓誠 CAO, Peng 曹鵬 LAM, Jonathan Hymn 林進謙
3099 3245 7274
CHU, Tsun Yin Claudia 朱晉賢 DIAO, Xiaotong 刁小童 MAK, Ping Kuan Anthony 麥秉焜
0229 5590 0317
WANG, Yanfei 王彦非 GAN, Peiyi 甘佩儀 LEUNG, Yeuk San 梁躍燊
0455 2288 2991
ZHOU, Waner 周莞爾 CHAU, Yan Tung 周茵彤 LAU, Ka Yi 劉家怡
0534 5601 8044
LAU, Shun Ting 劉信霆 CHAN, Chung Shun 陳頌舜 YU, Chun Kit 余俊傑

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Lecture 5—Discussion Period

Question 1
“Natural law is nothing but nonsense on stilts. When a man is bent on having things his own
way and gives no reason for it, he says: ‘I have a right to have them so.’ In truth, all rights
are simply created by men.” Do you agree with this statement? Support your position
logically, providing critical analysis.

Question 2
“An unjust law is no law at all.” Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not? Support
your position logically, drawing on the ideas discussed in class and providing critical analysis.

Discussion leaders Discussion leaders Discussion leaders

(Class A) (Class B) (Class C)
8397 8343 7072
ZHONG, Zhuolun 鍾卓倫 LAU, Frederick Kelvin 劉浩賢 YIP, Sui Ling Cherry 葉萃苓
3319 5630 0414
ZENG, Yuxuan 雨璇 LIU, Qi 劉琦 TANG, Hoi Ching 鄧凱晴
7807 7322 8955
WU, Yuting 吴雨婷 SONG, Jindi 宋金 LAU, Ming Tai 劉明泰
0080 5444 6294
XU, Yue 許悦 ZHAO, Yuhao 趙禹 LIN, Mushui 林木水
0470 5643 0885
LAU, Tak Kwun 劉德冠 WONG, Wai Ting Kent 王瑋廷 IP, Pui Fai 葉沛暉

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Lecture 6—Discussion Period

Question 1
Hart's theory of legal positivism emphasizes the importance of the "rule of recognition" in
determining the content of legal systems. Do you think this is an effective way to
understand the nature of law, or do you think there are other factors that should be
considered?

Question 2
What in your view is the main theoretical weakness of Hart's theory of legal positivism?
Support your position logically, providing critical analysis.

Discussion leaders Discussion leaders Discussion leaders

(Class A) (Class B) (Class C)
7772 5565 3999
CHAN, Kwan Yuet 陳鈞悅 ZENG, Yumeng 曾雨 LAU, Ngai Wan Fontane 劉毅芸
7960 5559 0245
LIANG, Yongru 咏茹 ZHANG, Yang 張楊 SEE, Pak Lok 施百樂
4297 5414 2523
MIKKOLA, Diana WANG, Hanzeng 王瀚增 SIU, Yuk Lung 蕭旭龍
3871 5584 0797
TSE, Parry 謝梓峰 ZHANG, Xiyue 張曦月 CHAN, Ka Long 陳家朗
0264 2979 3658
LI, Yixin 李亦心 WONG, Jimmy Man-tjeng 黃正 ZHOU, Suzhang 周蘇

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Lecture 7—Discussion Period

Question 1
Suppose modern medicine creates a pill that safely, thoroughly, and permanently rids any
taker of the pill of their criminal character so that, upon taking the pill, an offender will
never again be able to commit any criminal act. Would you support replacing criminal
punishment with the forced taking of this pill? Why or why not? Support your position
logically, drawing on the ideas discussed in class and providing critical analysis.

Question 2
Should the severity of punishment be strictly proportional to the harm caused, or should it
also be based on other factors, such as the offender's intent or the need for deterrence?
Support your position logically, providing critical analysis.

Discussion leaders Discussion leaders Discussion leaders

(Class A) (Class B) (Class C)
0050 8040 2278
ZHAO, Sunjiayi 趙孫嘉懿 WANG, Hua 王華 LEE, Kwok Fai 李國輝
3407 3591 0983
QIAO, Yuanwu 喬元武 TIAN, Ruiyuan 田睿 LEE, Yik Lung 李億隆
8077 1949 5865
WANG, Rui 王瑞 WONG, Denise Wing Hei 黃穎希 YIP, Ho Yue Angela 葉皓瑜
0278 3532 5971
ZHANG, Xiyue 張熙悅 CHAN, Tsz Hei 陳梓希 SO, Yi Ching 蘇銥靜
0201 5362 2526
WU, Shiyu 吴詩鈺 GALAVIZ, Jonathan Vincent TANG, Ka Hing 董嘉興

7|Page
Lecture 8—Discussion Period

Question 1
“A poor starving man who steals a loaf of bread to feed himself should be punished less
severely than a wealthy man who steals a loaf of bread just for fun.” Do you agree with this
statement? Why or why not? Support your position logically, providing critical analysis.

Question 2
“Punishing an innocent person can never be justified.” Support your position logically,
providing critical analysis.

Discussion leaders Discussion leaders Discussion leaders

(Class A) (Class B) (Class C)
0533 3669 1527
LI, Yang 李暘 GUO, Minna 郭敏娜 WU, Ho Yin 胡皓姸
0498 0277 7732
CHEN, Beibei 陳貝貝 LI, Chak Ki Matthew 李澤其 WONG, Lok Ching 黃樂程
0485 7290 3771
ZHANG, Wanglu 張汪露 HOI, Chao Chi 許鄒遲 YEUNG, Carla Siobhan 楊卡娜
0105 5756 7286
ZHANG, Sheng 張晟 FONG, Hang Yu Kelly 方杏如 CHANG, Kwok Hung 張國雄
0164 3646 5896
TANG, Wing Him 鄧穎謙 CHUI, Suet Yi 徐兒 FONG, Yan Yi 方欣怡
5642 1129
LEI, Siyu 雷司宇 HUANG, Yuanhong 黃元泓

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Lecture 9—Discussion Period

Question 1
“We have free will.” Explain why you feel this statement is true. Support your position
logically, providing critical analysis.

Question 2
“We do not have free will.” Explain why you feel this statement is true. Support your
position logically, providing critical analysis.

Discussion leaders Discussion leaders Discussion leaders

(Class A) (Class B) (Class C)
7764 1104 3962
CHEN, Jiayu 陳佳鈺 HUNG, Yu Hin 洪宇軒 CHEN, Yixin 陳貽欣
2974 3389 9523
GARG, Arushi JIANG, Hainan 姜海楠 KO, Hoi Wei 高海蔚
0440 7337 8541
LAW, Ming Yin 羅銘彥 KO, Yuet Lung Yoko 高玥瀧 LI, Nok 李諾
3108 4621 4301
LAM, Wing Yee 林穎兒 LEUNG, Fiona Ka Yu 梁家 MAN, Kin Yi 文健怡
7816 6858 8580
SZE, Nga Man Arina 施雅文 LI, Cheuk Ying 李綽瀅 WU, Yixuan 吴旖煊

9|Page
Lecture 10—Discussion Period

Question 1
Is free will a necessary condition for moral responsibility? Why or why not? Support your
position logically, providing critical analysis.

Question 2
Which compatibilist argument do you feel is the strongest? Why? Support your position
logically, providing critical analysis.

Discussion leaders Discussion leaders Discussion leaders

(Class A) (Class B) (Class C)
0451 5113 5448
CHEN, Siheng 陳思恒 FU, Huizhong 付慧中 KONG, Man Wai Vivian 江旻憓
0020 0812 4888
LEE, Man Nap 李文納 KONG, Shing Hei 江承熹 TSANG, Man Ho 曾民浩
0081 3237 7096
CHEN, Yingran 陳莹然 FUNG, Chun Yuk Jason 馮俊毓 SUEN, Tsz Ting 孫芷婷
0404 3840 6400
ZHANG, Mengyang 張梦洋 KONG, Siqi 孔思琦 TSE, Sheung Wai 謝偉
8722 5512 9954
SHEN, Jingdi 沈靖 LAM, Ho Yu 林灝儒 TSANG, Hin Ting 曾軒霆
8271
LIN, Zhiheng 藺之珩

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Lecture 11—Discussion Period

Question 1
Drawing on Rawls, construct an argument in support of or against gay marriage.

Question 2
“All people are born equal and thus should be treated equally.” Do you agree with this
statement? Support your position logically, providing critical analysis.

Discussion leaders Discussion leaders Discussion leaders

(Class A) (Class B) (Class C)
0274 1108 9530
ZHANG, Jingheng 張競恒 CHAN, Tsz Wan 陳蘊 TAM, Sampson Shum-yin 譚深研
7958 7701 0878
XING, Zheng 邢正 CHEON, Youngsuh LU, Wei 路
0173 1847 4226
YANG, Rui 楊蕊 CHAN, Wai Yin 陳韋言 CHOU, Hiu Lam 周曉琳
0502 0997 0246
ZENG, Xujian CHEUNG, Hoi Wan Venus 張愷芸 LOCK, Kar See 駱嘉時
3337 3736 3181
PANG, Sandy Hoi Yan 彭凱欣 CUI, Xinyue 崔馨月 KWOK, Hiu Tung Hilton 郭曉桐
3335 5672
PENG, Yanru 彭茹 LI, Kaiqi 李鍇琪

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Lecture 12—Discussion Period

Question 1
Do you think it is justifiable to allow wealthy individuals to purchase organs from poor
individuals who may feel compelled to sell their organs out of desperation or economic
necessity? Why or why not? Support your position logically, providing critical analysis.

Question 2
A firefighter in the US makes an annual salary of around US$47,000. The American media
personality and socialite Kim Kardashian makes an annual salary of around US$80 million.
Do you feel this is just? Why or why not? Support your position logically, providing critical
analysis.

Discussion leaders Discussion leaders Discussion leaders

(Class A) (Class B) (Class C)
8689 1977 6463
YANG, Yingxiao 楊滢 SUNG, Wing Kiu Gabriella 宋穎翹 CHUNG, Pui Hei 鍾佩熹
0287 3663 1597
XU, Huining 許慧凝 SONG, Kunlin 宋昆霖 FONG, Elaine 方燕玲
8473 4417 4531
CHENG, Yang 程阳 LO, Wing Sum 羅穎琛 DENG, Jiayu 鄧迦予
0015 3659 7121
GUO, Qingyue 郭清越 SUNG, Wai Ting 宋韋霆 SEE, Wai Wa Anna 施慧華
7891 5563 3370
LYU, Qinyun 呂沁芸 QIAO, Hehe 喬禾禾 CHEUNG, Chi Yen Jean 張子恩
5531 5521
PANG, Lisha 龐麗莎 CONG, Yuan

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Lecture 13—Discussion Period

Question 1
Between the moral objectivist and the relativist, who has the burden of proof? Why?
Support your position logically, providing critical analysis.

Question 2
“There is no logical foundation upon which one can stand to justifiably criticize the moral
behavior of another.” Do you agree with this statement? Support your position logically,
providing critical analysis.

Discussion leaders Discussion leaders Discussion leaders

(Class A) (Class B) (Class C)
0299 5655 3509
CHENG, Yutong 程雨童 LIAN, Gwyneth Faith 連靖斐 YE, Sheng 叶昇
0316 6003 4075
GU, Shiyu 詩雨 LI, Xinyu 李昕雨 MOK, Ka Man Carmen 莫嘉汶
0481 5465 0991
WU, Xiaochen 武晓辰 LI, Yueying 李玥莹 LAM, Chun Yin 林俊賢
0248 1494 1859
WANG, Siwei 王思 LU, Diyin 陸滌茵 WONG, Cheuk Hin 黃卓軒
8446 7227 2887
LYU, Jiehui 呂洁蕙 POON, Chee Ho Ian 潘梓浩 MAK, Ping Yuen 麥秉源
0410 7094
LIU, Hoi Kay 廖凱淇 CHEUNG, Man Ting Joyce 張雯婷

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