ENGR 482 Test 1

What are 3 objections to utilitarianism?

1) Way to demanding 2) Treats people like containers 3) Impossible to expect all consequences

What percentage of the NSPE Code of Ethics could be considered prohibitive?

80%

Objective-list

A list that would create a persons overall happiness.

Duty

A motivation distinct from self-interest, self-preservation, sympathy, and happiness.

Metaethics

A study of the nature of ethical claims themselves.

Normative Ethics

A study of the standards of the rightness or wrongness of actions, morally speaking.

Descriptive Ethics

A study of what people do or how they act.

Maxim

A subjective principle that one uses to determine a course of action.

Ethical Egoism

A theory asserting that the morally right action is the one that produces the most favorable balance of good over evil for oneself

Preference Satisfaction

Based on a person's preferences (e.g. smoking).

Rule Utilitarianism

Based on rules set by us as a society.

Act Utilitarianism

Based solely on a particular act.

_____ are the most important things to consider when using utilitarianism.

Consequences

Which of the following statements can be ascribed to duty? Choose all that apply.

Duty informs us of what we should do in each situation. A will is good only when it is aligned with duty. Duty is obedience to the moral law.

A maxim can contradict the categorical imperative while at the same time be consistent with reason.

False

An engineer's duty to confidentiality may only be violated when the law demands it.

False

Kant believed that fundamental moral principles must be fluid to respond to the different situations people encounter.

False

Kant believed that persons should rely on their emotions in order to develop a sense of duty.

False

Most contemporary utilitarians think act types, rather than particular acts, should be evaluated morally.

False

Most moral issues encountered in the workplace closely resemble a paradigm.

False

Our extraordinarily high gross domestic product led the US to the top of the list of countries in terms of life satisfaction.

False

The will cannot be trained to overcome one's inclinations, such as envy or greed.

False

There is considerable evidence that income and material possessions always increase the happiness and well-being of an individual.

False

Hedonism

Focuses on happiness, the net balance of pleasure and pain.

Act Type

Focuses only on the act.

Moral Issue

How people determine between right and wrong

Application Issue

How something applies to an issue

Who of the following was a leading progenitor of duty ethics?

Immanuel Kant

All-things-considered Judgement

Judgement that is made without any missing information

Posteriori

Knowledge or justification depends on experience.

Priori

Knowledge or justification independent of experience.

Particular Act

Looks at each problem and its context.

Do utilitarians value animals as moral agents?

Most agree that we should include animals.

Is utilitarianism applicable to all Consequentialist? Why?

No, because Consequentialism doesn't accept all Utilitarianism cases.

Is the cost-benefit analysis an ethical theory?

Not a theory, more of a tool to use. Can relate money money to well-being and well-being to a theory.

Hume's Principal

One cannot use factual issues to come to a moral conclusion

Basic idea of Utilitarianism

Point system based on everyone's overall happiness. The decision that provides the greatest happiness is the morally right decision.

Presumptive Judgment

Preliminary judgment about right and wrong when not all factors have been considered

Factual Issue

Question about something that has a straight forward answer

Conceptual Issue

Question about the meaning of a crucial term

Consequentialism

The doctrine that the morality of an action is to be judged solely by its consequences.

Will

The manifestation of reason in its practical form.

According to Kantian ethics, morality is based on:

The purity of the will

Psychological Egoism

The theory that people always act in their own self interest, whether they know it or not

"Capabilities" refers to the ability of people to engage in certain activities, thereby leading the kind of life they value.

True

A good will is motivated by duty alone, not self-interest, moods, or appetites.

True

According to the utilitarian calculus, the consequence that an action poses to future generations can outweigh those facing individuals in the present time.

True

Classic hedonistic act utilitarianism holds that only happiness is good for its own sake and that acts are right insofar as no alternative act could bring about more of this good.

True

In more industrialized countries, the rate of depression is lower in groups for whom wealth and technology is less of a priority, such as the Amish.

True

Utilitarian ethics often conflicts with conventional morality and deeply rooted cultural norms.

True

Utilitarianism is applicable to all decisions we make.

True

When using the line-drawing technique marking the most important features assists with the final decision.

True

Actual Consequences

What actually happened.

Expected Consequences

What you expect to happen.

Which of the following statements is true of the line-drawing technique?

When analyzing cases, sometimes one must make assumptions that, if they were made differently, would alter the conclusion from the technique.

Basic idea of Kant's theory of ethics

Will is perfectly aligned with duty.

What are the four most important terms of concepts for understanding Kant's theory?

Will, duty, maxim, and categorical imperative.

Which of the following may have been a factor contributing to the Ford Pinto issue? a. The development of the new model was completed in a much shorter time period than was usual in the industry. b. Ford had hired a team of foreign designers to advise on small car design. c. The aluminum fuel tank was not as puncture resistant as the steel tanks ordinarily used. d. The fuel tank was more susceptible to damage when driven with the rear hatchback door open. e. Ford tried to use too large a fuel tank to increase the range of the Pinto.

a

In Kant's terminology, the word 'will' means...

a faculty that animates our bodily actions

Determining whether engineer Alex should accept tickets to a sporting event from a prospective contractor is an example of

a moral issue.

Which of the following are important distinctions for contemporary utilitarians? Choose all that apply.

act vs. rule utilitarianism particular acts vs. act types expected vs. actual consequences

Deciding whether a particular case is an incident of extortion is an example of

an application issue.

Engineer Paola is going overseas to help improve the sewage system in rural communities is an example of _____ ethics.

aspirational

Mary is an ethical egoist with a career in the nuclear industry. It is likely that she... a. is rude and dishonest in dealing with her colleagues because egoists only care about themselves. b. is rarely rude nor dishonest when dealing with colleagues because she would be concerned that they would treat her the same way. c. has disclosed her ethical orientation with her colleagues because she does not care what they think. d. shows little concern for the protection of public health, safety, and welfare. e. (a) and (c)

b

The primary difference between ethical egoism and psychological egoism is that... a. Ethical egoism focuses on what is necessary for an individual to have a healthy ego or sense of self, and psychological egoism is a scientific study of what happy people think. b. Ethical egoism is a moral claim, whereas psychological egoism is a descriptive claim. c. Ethical egoism refers to a sociological study about what people do, whereas psychological egoism focuses on what they think. d. Ethical egoism proposes that each individual should maximize his immediate pleasure, whereas psychological egoism offers an objective list of goods that should be sought. e. Ethical egoism refers to the cultivation of one's non-cognitive skills, and psychological egoism refers to the importance of cognitive development.

b

Which ethical analysis can be used to defend William LeMessurier's response in the Citicorp case? a. An egoistic analysis, because was only concerned with his welfare. b. A utilitarian analysis, because his decisions likely led to the best possible outcome for all involved. c. A utilitarian analysis, because his decisions would likely lead to the best possible outcome for all involved, even though "bad luck" resulted in the building's collapse. d. A Kantian analysis, because he ensured that the people who worked in the building knew the risks they undertook. e. A virtue ethics analysis, because he courageously spoke out against a deceptive press release that the building's public relations team released.

b

Which of the following is NOT true of preference utilitarianism?

because the focus is on individual preferences, the type of utilitarianism is considered a relativist theory

In "The Good Engineer," Ed Harris argues that virtue ethics... a. Is largely irrelevant for the issues faced by professional engineers. b. Is too ambiguous to support a rigorous set of ethical principles that can clearly determine the goodness of an engineer. c. Offers better resources to explain the importance of dispositions such as environmental concern than other ethical theories do. d. Should be used to develop new and improved engineering professional codes of ethics for many disciplines. e. Should be used to re-interpret the canons in the NSPE Code of Ethics, which are often interpreted with a utilitarian mindset.

c

The NSPE Rule of Practice that states that "engineers shall not aid or abet the unlawful practice of engineering by a person or firm" is best categorized as which kind of statement? a. Aspirational b. Preventive c. Prohibitive

c

Two engineers who are designing a bridge are arguing about number and kind of ships that will sail under it. What kind of issue are they discussing? a. Application b. Conceptual c. Factual d. Moral

c

What does the obligation to satisfy the "standard of care" mean for engineers? a. Engineering decisions must meet the Six Sigma criteria, i.e., be at least 99.99966% error-free. b. The only engineering errors found in a project are those that are not specified in safety standards from government agencies. c. The engineering errors found are similar in number and degree to those that would be found in the work of a normal competent practitioner working in the same area. d. All of the engineering errors found can be traced back to negligence, and none to recklessness. e. The majority of the engineering errors found can be traced back to "organizational causes," not to physical causes.

c

Which canon in the NSPE Code of Ethics did William LeMessurier disobey, or come closest to disobeying, in the Citicorp case? a. Perform services only in areas of their competence. b. Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees. c. Avoid deceptive acts. d. Give proper credit to others for their intellectual property. e. Honor confidentiality.

c

Which of the following best describes the argument made by Gerald McLean in "Integrating Ethics and Design"? a. Most ethical issues for engineers can be resolved by following technical design specifications provided by professional societies. b. The ethics of engineering can be deduced from the basic principles that undergird engineering practice . c. Engineering ethics should be thought of as an art that entails the exercise of ingenuity, imagination, and knowledge. d. Engineers need to complement the exercise of their technical expertise with active engagement in public policy discourse. e. If engineers were to adopt an egoistic mentality while doing design, market functions will likely ensure that society experiences the best overall consequences.

c

Which of the following best expresses the idea of eudaimonia (happiness or flourishing) as used by Aristotle? a. Eudaimonia is found when an individual feels content. b. Eudaimonia is found when an individual submits his desires to the greater good of the polis (or city-state). c. Eudaimonia is found when an individual develops intellectual capabilities and the disposition needed to act excellently. d. Eudaimonia is found when an individual develops the ability to exert his will on others to help them live better. e. Eudaimonia is found when an individual is considered honorable by those who are good judges of character.

c

Determining what is meant by the term "bribe" requires the resolution of a _____ issue, while the question of whether Denise should accept the gift if it isn't a bribe is a _____ issue.

conceptual moral

Ethical egoism and utilitarianism are _____ based theories.

consequence

ABET requires that students that graduate from accredited universities show an appreciation for continuing to learn about engineering sciences and practices over one's career. Which of the following best describes how lifelong learning, understood as developing one's abilities, fits within Kant's ethical theory? a. Lifelong learning is contrary to Kant's ethics because it is in one's self-interest. b. Lifelong learning is irrelevant to Kant's ethics, which focuses solely on how judgment affects the will. c. Lifelong learning is irrelevant to Kant's ethics, except to the extent that it leads to the best overall consequences for everyone involved. d. Lifelong learning is considered an imperfect duty, i.e., one that often, but not always, should be fulfilled. e. Lifelong learning is considered a perfect duty, i.e., one that always should be fulfilled.

d

How would a utilitarian analyze the ethical implications of climate change? a. We have a moral obligation to preserve the climate on the planet the way it is as best we can. b. We have no special obligation to the planet or ecosystem as such. c. What matters is how climate change affects present and future organisms that can experience pleasure or wellbeing. d. (b) and (c) e. (a) and (c)

d

Imagine that a doctor could save four patients who need new organs by killing and transplanting the organs from a healthy man in the waiting room. The best rule-utilitarian objection to this immoral act is that: a. A generous person would not kill a healthy person in order to save the four. b. It is wrong to use a healthy patient in the waiting room as a mere means for saving the four. c. If the press were to find out about the doctor's decision to kill a healthy patient they would write articles that made many people afraid of visiting hospitals, which would be sub-optimal from a utilitarian point of view. d. If the overwhelming majority of doctors were to kill healthy patients in order to save others, this would have bad overall consequences on society. e. The short- and long-term consequences for the doctor would most likely be suboptimal, and she should aim to maximize her welfare.

d

One shortcoming of the cost-benefit method that was highlighted by the Ford Pinto case is... a. That the method fails in situations where the value of a human life must be quantified in terms of dollars by a jury. b. The potential gap between expected and actual consequences (numbers of crashes, burn injuries, and deaths) in automotive accidents shows that the method should rarely be used in such cases. c. Upper management can choose to disregard the results of a cost-benefit analysis. d. Even if benefits and costs were accurately estimated, they may still be distributed unjustly. e. A meta-analysis, i.e., a cost-benefit analysis of the cost-benefit method itself, often leads to the recommendation that the method not be used.

d

The concept of "virtue" is treated differently in each of the ethical theories. Which of the following is true? a. Utilitarians do not care, not even in an indirect sense, about virtue. b. Kantians do not care, not even in an indirect sense, about virtue. c. Ethical egoists do not care, not even in an indirect sense, about virtue. d. Utilitarians and Kantians agree that virtue is important but disagree over why it is desirable. e. Utilitarians and virtue ethicists agree about what virtue is and why it is desirable.

d

Which of the following is one of the intermediary steps for using the Line Drawing method? a. Map various options on a spectrum, from most unethical to most ethical, and identify where the transition from unethical to ethical takes place. b. Assign quantitative weighting to the different features that are listed. c. Divide each option into its components and assess the appropriateness of each. d. Identify two cases that are paradigmatic examples to aid in determining which has more in common with the test case. e. Order the assumptions used in one's reasoning according to their uncertainty.

d

According to Immanuel Kant, "There is no possibility of thinking of anything at all in the world, or even out of it, which can be regarded as good without qualification, except a good will." Which of the following best explains what he means by a "good will"? a. A will is considered good when it achieves everything that it wishes to accomplish. b. A will is considered good when it leads to the development of intellectual virtues and moral habits. c. A will is considered good when it leads to the best overall consequences for everyone who is affected by the acts directed by it. d. A will is considered good when it follows rules that would lead to the best overall consequences for all sentient animals. e. A will is considered good when it "listens" to reason to produce an act that aligns with duty.

e

Which of the following best describes Kant's understanding of the relationship between a "dutiful" act and the consequences produced by it? a. The consequences are relevant only if they are positive, in which case it is likely that duty was followed. b. The consequences are relevant only if they are negative, in which case it is likely that duty was followed. c. If best overall consequences for everyone affected were obtained, then duty was followed. d. If the best overall consequences for everyone affected were not obtained, then it is clear that duty was not followed. e. The consequences do not determine whether an act aligns with duty, but they can offer some help in making this determination.

e

Which of the following is true of Aristotle's virtue ethics? a. Most, but not all, human actions have a mean, which is situated between deficiency and excess. b. The mean for a virtue such as courage differs among individuals. c. Virtues of character such as moderation or temperance are cultivated through repeated action, not instruction. d. Ethics is broadly construed to include both repeated intentional acts (habits) and the development of intellectual capabilities. e. All of the above are true.

e

How might a utilitarian respond to a situation in which one is faced with a choice whether to tell a lie?

if the consequences of the lie are on the whole better than those of telling the truth, then lying is the right course of action

A hallmark example of a certain concept or moral issue is called a ________.

paradigm

An engineer should report any company misconduct to the proper authorities is an example of _____ ethics.

preventive

By seeking to minimize harm that could result from the use of technology, we are employing _____ ethics

preventive

Whistle-blowing is the most extreme form of...

preventive ethics.

An engineer must not accept bribes is an example of _____ ethics.

prohibitive

The responsibilities of duty are inscribed on all _____.

rational beings

What is the essential determiner of moral value for utilitarians?

sentience

Which of the following pairs represents two opposing approaches to well-being?

subjectivism and objectivism

In the line-drawing technique, the indisputable cases used for comparison are called paradigms, while the issue under consideration is called the _________.

test case

What does it mean to say that Bentham's hedonistic utilitarian theory is additive?

the focus is on the total sum of good produced, not the manner in which that good is distributed

What is the essential difference between a priori and a posteriori knowledge?

the former is gained independent of experience, while the latter is dependent of experience

Which of the following is true of Immanuel Kant's theory of duty ethics?

the responsibilities of duty are inscribed on all rational beings, by nature of their rationality

Which of the following is true of utilitarianism?

whether an act is permissible depends on the consequences it brings about

Morality is based on the purity of the _____, not on the consequences of an action.

will