What is reductionism? Why is it important to the debate?

Assignment 4 (100 marks, 15%): Instructions
Introduction
Now that you have completed the activities for Unit 4, you are ready to do
Assignment 4.
This assignment is out of 100 marks and is worth 15% of your final course grade.
Part A (21 marks)
Answer seven of the following ten questions. Provide brief answers (two or three
sentences). Rely exclusively upon course material. (3 marks for each answer)
1. What is reductionism? Why is it important to the debate?
2. Name three ethical issues involved in biotechnology.
3. What is Kant’s argument about dignity?
4. Why does Kraynek disagree with Dennett?
5. What is somatic cell bioengineering?
6. Name two arguments against cloning.
7. What is intentionality?
8. What is neuromania?
9. What does Durkheim say about human dignity?
10. According to Kass, why is cloning dehumanizing?
Part B (30 marks)
Answer three of the following five questions. Rely exclusively upon course material.
Two or three paragraphs. (10 marks for each answer)
1. What are the promises and possible problems with biotechnology?
2. Why not embrace transhumanism? What would Kant say?
3. If you are a clone, what rights might you have? Would you have the right not
to be cloned?
4. What would Tallis say to the claim that a murderer is not culpable for his
crime because, he neuroscience has proven that free will does not exist.
5. According to Kass, cloning and much of biotechnology is dehumanizing.
Why?
2 Assignment 4
TRU Open Learning
Part C (49 marks)
Answer one of the following two questions. Rely primarily upon course material,
including videos, and secondarily upon online material employed in the online
discussions. 500–750 words.
1. How might biotechnology change family relationships?
2. Consider the question “Just because we can should we?” in relation to
biotechnology. What warnings might exist in history or intuition that
suggests otherwise? What would Somerville say? What does the argument
from human dignity posit?
Criteria for Evaluating Essays
Here is a set of criteria that will form the basis for evaluating this written
assignment.
Substance (75%)
 Each paragraph provides evidence of critical thinking and analysis as well as
synthesis of researched information throughout; in other words, it does not
merely repeat verbatim information from a primary source.
 Information sources are relevant, current, and credible.
 The material in each paragraph is not contradictory.
 Each paragraph explains the necessary aspects of the concept and provides
necessary examples, support, or illustration.
Writing Style and Format (25%)
 The paragraph is unified, developed, and coherent, with transitions between
ideas.
 Sentences are grammatically correct; words are chosen for accuracy and
impact.
 The writing follows the conventions of spelling and mechanics (punctuation,
etc.).
 The format follows the MLA document