Summary: KIWI PHOTO View over Auckland from the West ACADEMIC WORD If people, policies or attitudes are consistent, it means they follow the same basic patterns and values over a period of time. You can also use the word ‘consistent’ to compare actions and values. If an action is consistent with a value, it means that it follows that value, with no contradiction. For example, you would expect a person who tells you they are a vegetarian to say no to a kebab, because eating meat is inconsistent with their beliefs. It’s important in research to consider whether the findings of a new study are consistent with those of previous research, because any inconsistencies will need to be explained – and this may mean that existing theories need to be challenged. TEST Here are FOUR sentences with the word of the day. But only THREE are correct. Which is the Odd One Out? Although we sometimes disagreed with the manager, at least he was consistent in his approach to thegame, which meant that everyone knew what they were supposed to do. It’s encouraging to report that, despite a challenging competitive environment, the firm’s market position has improved consistently over the last year. Although never exactly a star, she was one of the team’s most consistent performers over a number of years. The findings of previous research were not consistent with those which have emerged from this study, which may be attributed to measurement error. PRACTICE How important do you believe it is that these people behave consistently? parents / lecturers / entertainers KIWI QUIZ In which sport is New Zealand’s national team known as ‘The Black Caps’? Cricket / Netball / Rugby VIDEO This is the opening lecture in a course about moral philosophy at Harvard University in the USA. The lecturer is Michael Sandell. He first presents his students with four ethical dilemmas and then talks about the value of philosophy and what students might hope to gain by studying it. 1) The first dilemma involves a trolley car (a kind of vehicle used to repair railway tracks) which is out of control and going to hit five people. But you can turn it onto another track where it will only kill one person. How many of the students would turn the trolley car? all / most / few / one / none 2) In the second dilemma, instead of turning the wheel to save the five people, they have to push a fat man in front of the trolley car. How many of the students would push the man? all / most / few / one / none 3) In the third dilemma, they are a doctor who can choose to keep one badly-injured patient alive, or to let them die in order to save five other less badly-injured people. How many of the students would save the one badly-injured patient? all / most / few / one / none 4) In the fourth dilemma, they are a surgeon who could remove organs from one healthy person (who would die) in order to save five other people who need organ transplants. How many of the students would remove the organs from the healthy man? all / most / few / one / none 5) The majority decision in the first dilemma (to turn the car so that only one person dies and five live) is consistent with: Consequentialist Ethics / Categorical Ethics / Egoism 6) The majority decisions in the second and fourth dilemmas (refusing to push the fat man or remove organs from the healthy man) are consistent with: Consequentialist Ethics / Categorical Ethics / Egoism 7) Which approach to Ethics, did Immanuel Kant contribute to? Consequentialist Ethics / Categorical Ethics / Egoism 8) What is the main reason Michael Sandell gives for why philosophy is difficult? It involves reading a lot of historical books It means you have to deal with abstract concepts It makes you question your values and knowledge 9) How does Michael Sandell describe the argument that studying philosophy makes students better citizens? (continued)
