1. Is it more important to be a good person or to perform good acts (virtue ethics vs. action ethics)?

I think it’s more important to be a good person. In other words, we should be a good person virtually. If a person is virtually good, then it’s very hard to act badly. What I mean is virtue is somewhat connecting with action. What you think can influence what you are going to do. For example, if you think you should be helpful at first, then you will help others. It’s true that sometimes, people may be too shy or something else to help others or do what they think they should do, but that is not consistent with the virtue. Thus, they are not thinking in they should be helpful. My point here is virtue ethics can influence action. After you become a good person, your actions will be good as well. You will do good things to the society. Therefore, I think it’s more important to be a good person.

2. Do the pleasure and pain of non-human animals matter as much as the pleasure and pain of humans (speciesism)?

I think the pleasure and pain of non-human animals matter as much as the pleasure and pain of humans. All the species are equally live. We think human can control more of other species, because human are more powerful than other species, but it does not mean that human beings are more important or more noble than others. Each live is rare and invaluable. Actually, many countries have laws that protect animals right and prevent them from human-hurting. It is the law that proves non-human animals are as important as human beings. Their feelings are the same important as human’s. Life is equal. The possibility to be non-human animals and human is equal. You have pleasure and pain is not because you are human or not, just the way you are. For example, I used to have a pet dog. I was caring about his feeling. If he is hungry, I will feed him. If he is sad, I will play with him. If he is tired and sleepy, I won’t force him to play with me. The dog has feelings. Therefore, I think the pleasure and pain of non-human animals matter as much as the pleasure and pain of humans.

3. Is my own life worth more than the lives of others, the same, or less (selfishness vs. altruism)?

The lives of everyone are equal. I won’t initially put other’s life on risk. Similarly, I won’t let others to threaten my life. In real life, laws, religious doctrines, self-control, and etc. are all the things that can ensure equal life. However, we usually think that it’s more important to keep our lives safe instead of others’ lives when facing dangers, such as terrorist attacks, natural disasters, or other catastrophe. That’s a special case. We need first to keep ourselves safe, and then we can help other people. There is also one extreme case, parents and their children. Generally, parents can put their lives on risk in order to keep their children safe. In this condition, lives of others are worth more than our own lives. In conclusion, I think everyone’s life is equal. Only in special cases, our lives can worth more and less than others’ lives. We should respect others, and try our best to help others.