I. Topics. Pick one of the following. Write a two-page paper. See the general assignment sheet for directions. Due date: see assignment folder on D2L. 1. De gustibus. Relativism and subjectivism ultimately treat moral questions like matters of taste: everyone has their own and there is no judging them by an objective standard. The thing about this is that there is disagreement about what is de gustibus and what is not. Some things that are questions of taste to some are matters of morality to others. Illustrate this point with an example of a de gustibus disagreement that can be viewed in both ways. Which way is the right way? 2. Future you. According to one version of ethical relativism, you cannot judge people in the past by the standards of today. Depending on the speed with which we change standards, this may mean that future you cannot judge current you for doing whatever unethical thing you are doing. In some ways this is good, as you don’t have to fear the judgement of future you; in some ways this is bad. What ways are those? Does this mean that ethical relativism is wrong? 3. Doubting Thomas. You live in a very religious society. People worship the chief god Zolon, among many others. People live in peaceful, loving harmony by following Zolon’s precepts, delivered to the people of earth in ancient tablets and enforced, so people believe, by Zolon’s subdieties. One day you discover that the tablets are fakes and there is no such god as Zolon or any of his affiliated subdieties. Before you post your findings online where everyone will read them, you ask yourself: Is belief in Zolon or something like Zolon necessary for people to behave morally? 4. On the contrary. We discussed three general approaches to war and violence: (1) realism, (2) pacificism, (3) just war theory. Which of these do you support? Take some inspiration from Aquinas and give three reasons for a different position and answer those positions (in addition to stating reasons for your own position). choose