Engineering Ethics Exam 1 Review

Intuition --- When we examine the reliability of intuitions, we do so by looking at our reasoning processes. (T or F)

True

Intuition --- Intuition is defined as an insight that just seems to be true or correct. Intuition is not the result of perception, introspection or explicit inference. (T or F)

True

Utilitarianism --- One of the most important concepts in utilitrianism is A. that right, wrong, good and bad are terms that can be used interchangeably. B. determining what is meant by the term "good". C. that the concept of "good" defines a means to an end, not an end it in self. D. that the concept of "good" defines something that is instrumentally valuable.

B

Utilitarianism --- Pluralistic utilitarians argue that (select the best answer)... A. acts that promote one intrinsic good will never negate another intrinsic good. B. there is more than one category of intrinsic good. C. things like knowledge, friendship, and accomplishment are only valued in virtue of their connection to pleasure. D. intrinsic goods are easily determined. E. all of these are part of pluralistic utilitarianism F. none of these are part of pluralistic utilitarianism.

B

Baker Article --- Prof. Bill Baker states that the primary function of analytical philosophy is to identify positive and negative outcomes for all stakeholders resulting from ethical decisions made by practicing professionals.

False

Intuition --- Philosopher and writer David Sosa maintains that intuitions should be treated as unreliable under any and all conditions. Intuitive judgments are intrinsically more flawed than introspective judgments or perceptive judgments. (T or F)

False

Respect for Persons --- According to Kant, the obligation to help others trumps the obligation to avoid harming others. (T or F)

False

Utilitarianism --- Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill both claimed that pleasure is not an intrinsic good. (T or F)

False

Intuition --- Intuitions as discussed in this course are presented as an ethical theory on a level equal to Utilitarianism, Respect for Persons and Virtue Ethics. (T or F)

False Intuitions are not an ethical theory since they do not provide answers to three basic questions (1) What is the a supreme principle of morality? (2) How to solve moral problems? and (3) What kind of persons should we be?

Utilitarianism --- Act utilitarians permit lying in a situation if doing so will promote the best consequences. (T or F)

True

Utilitarianism --- In spite of the problems that arise in the application of one or more forms of utilitarianism, a focus on consequences helps in determining the rightness or wrongness of actions. (T or F)

True

Virtue Ethics --- Virtue ethics addresses the issue of right or wrong from the perspective of being the right kind of person; cultivating desirable traits such as honesty, courage and compassion. (T or F)

True

Virtue Ethics --- According to Aristotle, self-control (continence) is praiseworthy but not virtuous. (T or F)

True

Virtue Ethics --- According to Aristotle, a virtue is: (choose the best answer). A. a behavior that is commonly accepted by society B. established through simply thinking good thoughts C. choosing the mean between two extremes; excess and deficiency.

C

Respect for Persons --- According to Immanuel Kant's theory, human beings are special and must be treated with a basic level of respect. Human beings ought not to be used for this or that purpose and be discarded afterward. (T or F)

True

Respect for Persons --- According to Kant's theory of Respect for Persons, one or more of the following apply when solving moral and ethical problems. (Select the best answer(s). Incorrect answers result in negative partial credit) A. Any solutions that cannot be at once universalized and rationally accepted are to be discarded. B. A decision maker should only make those choices that would be acceptable for everyone to make. C. It is permissible for the decision maker to be excluded from the consequences of the choices made. D. According to Kant, the consequences of an action must always be considered when making a choice.

A B

Intuition: --- One can be more confident in the use of intuition in resolving an ethical dilemma if one or more of the following conditions are met. Select the best answer(s). (Incorrect answers result in negative partial credit) A. A person is not emotionally invested in a particular outcome B. The ethical issue is simple rather than complex. C. If one intuitive judgment does not conflict with another intuitive judgment. D. Other ethical theories do not apply.

A B C

Baker Article--- According to Prof. Bill Baker, it is a fact that technological changes will occur. When technological changes occur the questions become (Multiple answers. Incorrect answers result in negative credit.) A. Whether, with technological changes, risks can be controlled and safety reasonably assured? B. If risk and safety are to be controlled, how and by whom? C. Whether engineers, individually and as a group, have roles to play in the controlling process? D. Whether laws would be passed to protect ethical engineers since the ethical practice of engineering has come to be so highly regarded as a means of protecting the public?

A B C D

Respect for Persons --- Which of the following statements are consistent with the Principle of Humanity? (Incorrect answers result in negative partial credit) A. It is not enough to take for granted that people are worthy of fundamental consideration. B. According to Kant, people are worthy of respect because they are rational and autonomous beings who choose their own ends in life C. In contrast to Utilitarianism, which maximizes the most good for the most people, even if some persons suffer negative consequences, Respect for Persons implies that it is not permissible to treat one or a few individuals as a mere means to an end. D. Under the theory of Respect for Persons, the inviolable status of the individual leads to restrictions on the ethical choices others may make. E. Kant's theory of Respect for Persons could never be extended to sentient animals.

A B C D

Virtue Ethics --- Practical wisdom requires that one perform the right action: (Incorrect answers result in negative partial credit.) A. at the right time B. for the right duration C. at the right intensity D. towards the right people

A B C D

Baker Article --- In his article, "Engineering Ethics: Applications and Responsibilities", Prof. Bill Baker argues that the goals of those teaching courses in ethics are: (Multiple answers, incorrect answers result in negative partial credit) A. To provide hard and fast "yes" and "no" answers. B. To generate awareness of ethical concerns and dilemmas C. To disarm prejudices D. To bring about more value laden professional behavior

B C D

Respect for Persons --- Kant's theory of Respect for Persons has been viewed as problematic due to consequences of applying the basic theory because of the following: (Incorrect answers result in negative partial credit) A. It places greater emphasis on some duties than others. B. There are situations in which producing the best state of affairs may not be the morally correct choice. C. It completely disregards the consequences of an action. D. That persons are worthy of respect by virtue of having a soul which depends on specific beliefs that are not universally shared.

C D

Baker Article --- [x1], [x2], and [x3] analysis are critical areas in engineering concerns for safety according to Dr. Baker.

Cost(s), benefit(s), risk(s)

Baker Article --- According to Prof. Bill Baker, public interest in the ethics of professional practice is measured chiefly in terms of quantifiable societal impacts. (T or F)

True

Baker Article --- According to Prof. Bill Baker, the freedom of practicing professionals to make ethical decisions may not be worth much.unless they use a patterned approach.

True

Baker Article --- Prof. Bill Baker states that 'values' and 'facts' are inseparable and we must avoid the hazard of assuming that better science could perfectly answer the question: "How safe is safe enough?" (T or F)

True

Baker Article --- Professionalism entails not only responsibilities, but rights as well, according to Prof. Bill Baker. (T or F)

True

Intuition --- The criticisms mentioned in the article and lecture are intended to introduce doubt about the reliability of intuitions instead of proving that they are always flawed. (T or F)

True

Virtue Ethics --- (spelling counts) Eudaimonia can be translated as: happiness, [x1] or well-being

flourishing

Baker Article --- In his article, Prof. Bill Baker points out that engineering responsibility must be [x1] [x2] and not only deal with "can we do it" but also [x3] we do it...

forward, looking, ought