Intro to Ethics Unit 2: Divine Command, Conventionalism and Egoism

Charlie likes to put on elaborate theme parties on Friday evenings. Some people look down on him for doing so, but many people support and enjoy his parties. What would a conventionalist call this action in Charlie's culture?

Neutral

Which of the following is a tenet of conventionalism?

No culture is morally better or worse than any other culture.

Choose the action that is supported by egoism, but might seem unethical.

Taking credit for work that your colleague completed, so you can impress your boss.

Cheating on one's spouse is widely rejected in most societies. How might an egoist complete this statement? Cheating on your spouse is permissible if __________.

nothing bad happens to you as a result.

Norman learns from his pastor that God commands people to love one another. Thus according to divine command theory, loving one another is __________.

obligatory

You are a mechanic who can make more money by diagnosing and repairing nonexistent car problems. How might an egoist complete this statement? Charging people for unnecessary repairs is __________.

right, as long as no one takes action against you for it

In a well-known Biblical story, God sent Jonah on an errand to deliver a message. Instead, Jonah went to sea on a ship. There was a terrible storm and Jonah was thrown overboard to save the others. Then God sent a great fish to swallow Jonah and save him. According to divine command theory, was Jonah's decision to go to sea a right or a wrong action?

A wrong action because God had commanded Jonah to do something else.

In a popular Bible story, God intends to flood the earth and commands Noah to build an ark to preserve his family and all the animals. According to divine command theory, if Noah had refused to build the ark, would that have been a right action or a wrong action?

A wrong action because that would have been denying God's command.

In a well-known Biblical story, Adam and Eve lived in a beautiful garden. They were allowed to eat anything they wished, except God forbade them from eating the fruit from one particular tree. Since Eve and Adam sampled the fruit from the forbidden tree, according to divine command theory, was this a right action or a wrong action?

A wrong action because they disobeyed God's command.

Which statement expresses a shortcoming of conventionalism?

Because what is good is determined relative to a society or culture, one cannot apply universal standards.

When visiting the Czech Republic, Carolyn takes her children to a public park and notices that her children are much noisier than their peers. Carolyn wonders if perhaps Eastern Europeans view public parks differently. According to conventionalism, which action is most appropriate for Carolyn?

Carolyn should tell her children to play more quietly.

Which of the following is true of conventionalism?

Conventionalism is not a single ethical theory, but a family of theories.

Which of the following represents a challenge to divine command theory?

Divine command theory does not offer directives for every situation.

Which of the following statements about divine command theory is true?

Divine command theory is an objectivist moral theory.

Which of the following is an advantage of divine command theory?

Divine command theory offers a firm basis for ethics.

Which of the following is an advantage of divine command theory?

Divine command theory offers standards that originate outside of humanity.

Which of the following is an advantage of divine command theory?

Divine command theory provides a source for ethical standards.

Which of the following statements about divine command theory is true?

Divine command theory states that God freely chooses what is right and what is wrong.

Which of the following statements about divine command theory is true?

Divine command theory states that what is right is wholly determined from God's command.

Which of the following statements about egoism is true?

Egoism can refer to both a theory about how things are and to a theory about how things ought to be.

Which of the following represents a difficulty with egoism?

Empathy is often thought of as a good trait, but it's not consistent with egoism.

Which of the following examples contains a disagreement between popular thought and divine command theory?

God forbids eating meat from pigs, but many people say eating pork is a good thing.

Which of the following examples contains a disagreement between popular thought and divine command theory?

God forbids lying, but most people think lying is acceptable if it does good.

Which of the following examples contains a disagreement between popular thought and divine command theory?

God says to forgive all people, but many crimes are thought to be unforgivable.

Which of the following scenarios would be unacceptable for an egoist?

Hailey donates 10% of her paycheck to help feed the hungry out of a sense of duty, even though she would prefer to keep the money.

Which of the following people would most likely be satisfied with conventionalism?

Henry is looking for an ethical framework that can account for disagreement on right and wrong.

Which of the following represents a challenge to the voluntarist option of divine command theory?

If God changes, what is good and what is evil could also change.

Which of the following scenarios would be neutral for an egoist?

Ignatius wants to see two movies, but only has time for one, so he flips a coin to decide.

Which of the following scenarios would be neutral for an egoist? a.) Ignatius wants to see two movies, but only has time for one, so he flips a coin to decide. b.) Isabelle volunteers with her neighborhood watch because she wants to live in a safe neighborhood. c.) Irene discreetly removes money from her church's collection plate as she passes it on. d.) Ishmael gives his lunch to a homeless person, so he can't eat even though he is very hungry.

Ignatius wants to see two movies, but only has time for one, so he flips a coin to decide.

Becky belongs to a culture in which arriving early is thought to be impolite. What would a conventionalist call this action in Becky's culture?

Impermissible

Which of the following statements supports egoism?

Important innovations are often made by those seeking their own self interests.

Which of the following people would most likely be satisfied with conventionalism?

Ingrid is looking for an ethical framework that respects local norms.

Which of the following represents a challenge to the intellectualist option of divine command theory?

It goes against divine command theory's principle that God's command is free.

Which of the following statements supports egoism?

It is a natural reaction in all humans to avoid pain or suffering.

Which statement expresses a shortcoming of conventionalism?

It is impossible to make evaluations across cultures.

Which of the following scenarios would be obligatory for an egoist?

Jeanney steals her neighbor's newspaper because she doesn't want to pay for one herself

Which of the following scenarios would be obligatory for an egoist?

Jeanney steals her neighbor's newspaper because she doesn't want to pay for one herself.

Which of the following people would most likely be satisfied with conventionalism?

Jeremiah is looking for an ethical framework that allows morality to change over time.

The common practice in Arnold's culture is to remove one's shoes when entering a house. What would a conventionalist call this action in Arnold's culture?

Obligatory

The cultural differences argument consists of the following: Premise 1: If there were universal ethical truths, cultures wouldn't have different moral values. Premise 2: Different cultures have different moral values. Conclusion: There are no universal ethical truths. Which of the following observations poses a challenge to the cultural differences' argument?

Premise 1 is false because disagreement does not mean there is no objective truth.

The cultural differences argument consists of the following: Premise 1: If there were universal ethical truths, cultures wouldn't have different moral values. Premise 2: Different cultures have different moral values. Conclusion: There are no universal ethical truths. Which of the following observations poses a challenge to the cultural differences' argument?

Premise 1 is false because universal truths are not always easy to discover.

The cultural differences argument consists of the following: Premise 1: If there were universal ethical truths, cultures wouldn't have different moral values. Premise 2: Different cultures have different moral values. Conclusion: There are no universal ethical truths. Which of the following observations poses a challenge to the cultural differences argument?

Premise 2 is false because many cultures agree on certain moral issues.

Choose the action that is supported by egoism, but might seem unethical.

Protesting a family who has rented an apartment in your building because you do not want them as neighbors.

Which type of egoism is the theory that humans are only capable of acting in their own self-interest?

Psychological egoism

Which of the following represents a difficulty with egoism?

Respect for all people is often thought of as a good thing, but it is inconsistent with egoism.

Which of the following represents a difficulty with egoism?

Selfless heroism is often respected and admired, but it's not consistent with egoism.

Isabel moved with her elderly mother to a culture in which adult children must care for their parents. As her mother ages and requires more care, Isabel considers placing her in a facility so that she can continue thriving in her own profession. According to conventionalism, which action is most appropriate for Isabel to take?

She should continue to care for her mother in her own home.

Which of the following statements supports egoism?

Society benefits when individuals succeed.

David hires a recent immigrant, Boris, from Russia as a computer tech in his company. Boris does not speak English well. David's boss thinks this is a problem, but David does not."He needs to learn the language if he's going to live in America," David's boss asserts. "But Boris doesn't need to know the language in order to do his job," returns David. According to conventionalism, who has the stronger ethical stance— David or his boss?

The boss, because speaking English is a societal norm in American culture.

Which statement expresses a shortcoming of conventionalism?

There can be no intercultural evaluation of what is good.

Which of the following ideas does conventionalism profess?

What is good in one culture could be evil in another.

According to egoism, all of the following are important ideas to consider on the issue of gun control laws in the United States, EXCEPT __________.

an individual has an obligation to consider the safety of others.

Which type of egoism is the theory that humans should act according to their own best interests?

ethical egoism

Patricia abstains from eating pork because she believes God has commanded her to. Thus according to divine command theory, eating pork is __________.

impermissible

Oliver asks his rabbi if it's acceptable for him to swim in the ocean while visiting family in South Carolina. The rabbi tells him God has not said anything about swimming in the ocean. Thus according to divine command theory, swimming in the ocean is __________.

neutral