Ethics Exam 1
The jus gentium was what sort of law or justice among the Roman jurists? a. The law of nations or international law b. The principle of being gentle and forgiving c. The mandate to forgive international debts d. The blind law of love and war, in which anything is fair
a
Utilitarians can be criticized for which of the following? a. Failing to provide a basis for personal integrity: a lie to relieve suffering might be acceptable. b. Advocating social inequality, since the happiness of some is worth more than others' total misery. c. Trivializing pleasure, since so many kinds can be quantified: intensity, duration, fruitfulness, etc. d. Callousness towards the poor, whose suffering is not quantified accurately
a
Which does Mill consider the only intrinsic good? a. Understanding b. Happiness c. Health d. Wealth
b
According to Cicero, who does the natural law come from? a. humans b. nature c. God d. governments
c
Both egoism and utilitarianism are concerned with a. consequences of actions. b. individual self-interest. c. the cumulative happiness of a number of people. d. equality.
d
Which theory states that cooperation tends to produce good outcomes for those who cooperate and work together?
reciprocal altruism
Christian 3 theological virtues
hope love faith
Which ethicist considers altruism to be a sort of death wish?
Ayn Rand
Which argument in favor of relativism aims to challenge ethnocentrism? a. diversity of moral views b. tolerance and open-mindedness c. moral uncertainty d. situational differences
B
For Aristotle, virtue refers to a type of a. good consequence. b. motive. c. excellence. d. none of these choices.
C
Kant considered a good will or action to be good because a. it is prudent for the attainment of some proposed end. b. the results it will most likely produce are good for the greatest number of rational persons. c. it is done by an innocent person who is autonomous and has no selfish interests. d. it is good in itself, regardless of the consequences it may or may not produce.
D
The opposite of complete ethical relativism, the view that there are and ought not to be any universal moral rules or principles, is a. Kantian universalism. b. moral subjectivism, the view that it's just a matter of how people feel about ethics. c. moral realism, or moral objectivism, the view that there are real norms and there can be real progress in ethical matters. d. all of these choices.
D
Who wrote "The Leviathan"? a. T. M. Scanlon b. John Stuart Mill c. John Rawls d. Thomas Hobbes
D
Foot held that virtues help us be and do things that are: a. difficult for us b. easy for us
a
According to Foot, virtue is something: a. always comes naturally with no effort or struggle b. we must choose to develop and work at personifying c. she does not believe in the virtues
b
Hindu mental virtues (8)
calmess self control self settledness forbearance (leniency) complete concentration hunger for spiritual liberation faith
What, according to Locke, are the two primary characteristics of humans in a state of nature? a. Speculative reason and equality of welfare b. The war of all against all and the rule of the sovereign c. Irrational impulse and natural hierarchy d. Perfect freedom and equality of power
d
Which is another term for meritorious duties? a. Perfect duties b. Absolute duties c. Necessary duties d. Imperfect duties
d
Which philosopher thought we ought to maximize the quantity of pleasure and minimize the quantity of pain, regardless of their qualities? a. Aristotle b. Mill c. Kant d. Bentham
d
Is Ayn Rand a proponent of egoism OR altruism?
egoism
What is Aristotle in terms of ethical views? (2)
empiricist teleologist
act utiltarianism
theory that moral actions are those that maximize good consequences (utility) and minimize bad consequences for the greatest number of people (aka consequences are tied to the acts themselves)
What does Foot think about different peoples natural inclinations and virtues and how they will be?
they differ in both
Most people responding to a survey said they supported the jury system, but significantly fewer of those respondents said they would be willing to serve on a jury. What does this imply about some of our most cherished values? a. They inspire us to put aside our selfish motivations for the common good. b. They involve more selfish motivation than we generally like to admit. c. They are usually uncertain and we are conflicted about them. d. They involve our reason more than our emotions.
B
What is the word, dubbed by Confucius, that means humaneness/compassion in Chinese?
Jen (ren)
What is the word, dubbed by Confucious, that means propriety/manners/culture in Chinese?
Li
What is the Dependency Thesis?
Morality must be seen in the context of the culture at hand.
What is an empiricist?
Someone who believes all knowledge must be experienced
What is the diversity thesis?
States that moral rules differ from society to society.
Key concepts or elements of Kant's moral theory are which of the following? a. The maximization of happiness and the production of good consequences for autonomous individuals b. Fairness, consistency, and treating persons as autonomous and morally equal beings c. How we should learn from our inclinations, which guide us in perfect and imperfect duties d. The status quo as law, and the benefits of each of us of following it to the best of our ability.
b
What other group does Mill mention that was also attacked for its claims about pleasure as an end of human life? a. the English b. the Epicureans c. the Stoics d. the Christian
b
According to Locke, why should life, liberty and pursuit of happiness be regarded as rights? a. They are granted by some state. b. They promote social stability. c. They are important for us as human beings or persons. d. They are part of the natural order as declared by God.
c
What is the principle of utility also known as? a. The greatest good principle b. The least moral harm principle c. The greatest happiness principle d. The greatest justice principle
c
Why does Locke think all people should be treated as equals in the state of nature? a. Because humans should cooperate despite inherent differences in their capacities. b. Because humans have natural dominion over animals and plants. c. Because humans have the same basic nature and capacities. d. Because humans have a natural propensity to a religious life.
c
Is ethical egoism a descriptive or normative version of egoism?
normative
which fallacy is being committed when you use psycholigcal egoism as justification for ethical egoism?
the naturalistic fallacy
What is the word in Hinduism that emphasizes five basic moral virtues?
yamas
Christian 4 cardinal moral virtues
prudence justice fortitude temperance
What is individual relativism aka?
subjectivism
Psychological egoism, the theory that most human beings generally act in their own self-interests, is thought to be which of the following? a. very easy to prove b. obviously true c. obviously false d. very difficult to prove
D
The 8 key Buddhist virtues make up what in known as the noble eight...
path
hedons
units of pleasure (Mill)
What does Lachs think is the best evidence that individuals' natures are similar or at least compatible, to the extent that they can agree on common goods and goals? a. Human beings are capable of loving their enemies. b. Humans beings live in cooperative societies. c. Human beings devise and follow rules. d. Humans beings have different but precise values.
B
Moral subjectivists claim that value judgments merely express a. subjective opinion. b. objective fact. c. academic subjects. d. moral subjects.
a
Objectivists might insist that tolerance is a real good, universally across cultures, and therefore would reason that a. we ought to be tolerant of, or open to, others' views, because they may be closer to the truth that we are on some issues. b. we cannot really learn from cultures so different from ours that we are offended by them. c. tolerance is the same as relativism. d. tolerance is too dangerous today.
a
Which version of utilitarianism would say that killing may/may not be right/wrong depending on whether the action leads to the best overall consequeces
act
Hindu word for nonviolence
ahimsa
"Deontology" means a. theory of the tooth b. Dean's theory c. study of rightness d. theory of duty
d
Basic ethical values are part of an ethical a. theory. b. principle c. judgment
a
Stoicism comes from a. the ancient world b. Denmark c. the Bible d. Germany
a
Which version of egoism does not attempt to decide if selfishness is good or bad?
Psychological egoism
The first principles of natural law are, for Aquinas, which of the following? a. The same for all, if rightly administered and known. b. Different for men than for women, who were created different by our Creator. c. Not knowable for humans, since they are divine. d. The same as the oldest ethical principle, "Do No Harm."
a
The terms "right" and "wrong" usually apply to a. actions. b. goodness. c. character. d. art.
a
Virtue ethics places a heavy emphasis upon a. human flourishing. b. right action. c. prudential action. d. consequences.
a
When doing metaethics we a. analyze the meaning of moral language. b. separate ethics from religion. c. try to figure out what we ought to do. d. join ethics to religion.
a
Mill says that a theory that claims the highest end of life is pleasure will be criticized for being a. a doctrine that is too hard to implement. b. a doctrine worthy only for pigs. c. a doctrine fit for angels. d. a doctrine that is too optimistic
b
Rule utilitarians are very concerned with a. individual acts. b. general practices. c. virtue. d. personal preferences
b
Aristotle's view of order in nature is called teleological because it asserts which of the following? a. Nature unfolds according to the changing will of the gods. b. The natural order is arranged to promote the survival of the fittest. c. Nature develops toward specific goals. d. Nature develops through the principle of specified complexity.
c
If I say that Jane supports letting prisoners go free because she argues that everyone is innocent until proven guilty and that prisoners should have a fair trial to determine guilt or innocence, then what fallacy have I committed? a. slippery slope b. ambiguity c. straw man d. circularity
c
John Stuart Mill's work on utilitarianism was inspired by the work of a. Plato b. James Mill c. Jeremy Bentham d. Peter Singer
c
The primary objective of normative ethics is to determine a. what people mean by the words "good, " "bad, " "right, " "wrong, " and "just." b. what religion requires people to do by commandment or revelation. c. what people actually do and what differing social and cultural ethical norms exist. d. what action or choice is good, bad, right, wrong, or what we really ought to do.
d
In what ways were the original utilitarians democratic, progressive, empiricist, and optimistic?
democratic bc they believed that social policy should work for the good of all people, and not just those who were well off progressive because they questioned and challenged current rules, like the contemporary punishment system empiricists because they said observation over time would tell if a practice was working optimists in that they believed human wisdom and science would greatly improve humanity.
Is psychological egoism a descriptive or normative version of egoism?
descriptive
Kurt Baier, James Sterba, and Alan Gewirth are all opponents of which egoism?
ethical
What are the 5 basic Hinduisim moral virtues?
nonviolence (ahimsa) truthfulness honesty chastity freedom from greed
rule utilitarianism
theory that consequences are tied to rules or general practices
8 key Buddhist virtues
right: view intention speech action livelihood effort mindfulness concentration
According to Lachs, what is one of the two strategies the dogmatist relies on to show that his own ultimate values are universal and defensible? a. The dogmatist says that ultimate values do not need to be justified; they are self-evident and shine by their own light. b. The dogmatist says that only some ultimate values need to be justified, and proceeds to explain them. c. The dogmatist says that his own personal values are always right, and that they do not need to be explained. d. The dogmatist says that ultimate values are difficult to justify and thus moral rules must be taken as dogma.
A
In virtue ethics, the primary goal is a. to be a good person. b. to do the right thing. c. to be properly motivated. d. to be just.
A
One argument for ethical egoism, as laissez faire, is taken from a. economic theory. b. political theory. c. psychological theory. d. ethical theory
A
Universal ethical egoism is a. possibly incoherent or inconsistent, precluding self-interest when one needs help. b. easy to prove, given the facts of life in the world in Hobbes' time, today and in the future. c. completely contrary to human nature, as one sees in the many NGOs in the United Nations. d. well-founded in light of the facts and history of mankind, progressing in spite of wars.
A
What did Hobbes consider the three main causes of quarrel? a. Competition, diffidence, and glory b. Difference, disgust, and competition c. Sloth, passion, and strife d. Competition, envy, and religion
A
What do psychological egoists think is true of people? They are a. selfish or self-centered. b. moral isolationists. c. prone to depression. d. inconsistent and volatile.
A
What was one reason Kant focused more on motives than consequences? a. Motives are within our control, not so consequences. b. Motives are easy to analyze, not so consequences. c. Motives can be justified by moral principles, not so consequences. d. Motives can be manipulated to help others, not so consequences
A
Why might Kant would not approve of someone voluntarily offering their services as a human medical test subject in order to find a cure for a serious disease that is claiming many lives? a. He believes people ought not to be used but should to be regarded as having the highest intrinsic value. b. He believes the costs would outweigh the benefits, because finding a cure is unlikely. c. He believes that it is not our duty to do something contrary to nature. d. He believes it is our duty to resist the urge to sacrifice ourselves for the sake of others.
A
According to Hobbes, the "state of nature" is one of a. plenty b. peace c. war d. health
C
According to Hobbes, what distinguished love from desire? a. Love endures after the death of the beloved; whereas desire fades after the object is deceased. b. We can only love a person; whereas desire is much broader and may involve things as well as beings. c. In love the object is present; with desire the object is absent. d. Love doesn't require passion, but desire without passion doesn't exist.
C
According to Kant, which of the following characteristics of human persons is most important for ethics? a. Our sensitivity to the finer and better impulses b. Our inclinations to alleviate suffering and help others c. Autonomy: our ability to set our own goals d. Our obedience
C
According to Pojman, the rejection of ethnocentricism in the West has contributed to a. a gradual shift toward religious dogmatism. b. a gradual shift toward racism. c. a gradual increase in belief in moral subjectivism. d. a gradual erosion of belief in moral objectivism.
C
Definitions of altruism might include which of the following? a. Literally, "others ought to help us," the view that we have a right to help from others. b. Legally, the view that no one can be sued for being a Good Samaritan by helping. c. Literally, "other-orientation," or the view that helping others is what we ought to do. d. Ethically, the view that we should always consider our own interests first so that we will have something "left" to help others later, if it is in our interests to do so.
C
Kant contrasts categorical imperatives with which of the following? a. Unconditional imperatives b. Moral imperatives c. Hypothetical imperatives d. Immediate imperatives
C
Kantians and rule utilitarians both use a universalization test for moral precepts. How does the Kantian test differ from that of the rule utilitarian? a. The Kantian focuses only on perfect or necessary duties, while the rule utilitarian is concerned with imperfect or meritorious duties. b. The Kantian includes hypothetical imperatives, while the rule utilitarian only focuses on categorical imperatives. c. The Kantian is concerned with contradictions in willing a universal practice, while the rule utilitarian focuses on its good or bad consequences. d. The Kantian focuses only on assertorical imperatives that produce happiness, while the rule utilitarian is concerned with prudential rules of skill.
C
What is moral realism? a. The view that what is really good is what is written down in the Ten Commandments, or otherwise made real through Divine Command Theory. b. The view that the only real things are statements of feelings, beliefs, or values; c. The view that "good" is a real thing in the world, which can exist independent of the judgments of those who think they know it d. The view that ethics is really something felt with the moral sense, not known logically.
C
What, in Aristotle's view, is the proper function of human persons? a. The life of nutrition and increase in tandem with the excellences of the body. b. The life of sensation and relation in harmony with the natural world. c. The rational activity of the soul. d. The virtuous exercise of categorical imperatives
C
Which international code of behavior requires voluntary, informed consent of human research subjects? a. Code Napolean b. Code of Hammurabi c. Nuremberg code d. Tuskegee code
C
A Kantian could argue that we should develop virtues in ourselves and others because a. it does not matter what our personal virtues are: we are all absolutely bound by principle. b. developing virtues will have good results, and the ends justify the means here. c. the categorical imperative is equally concerned with consequences and intentions. d. it would make our behavior more universally fair, and less likely to involve the use of others for selfish ends.
D
What would Kant say about a young woman who is about to commit suicide due to despair? a. Since we are autonomous rational beings, she can consistently will for herself when she wishes to die, where, and how. b. Committing suicide out of a desire to alleviate her own suffering can be willed as a universal law of nature without contradiction. c. Suicide is in her case respectful of rational humanity, whereas accepting a life of unremitting torment is not. d. If she ends her life to escape torment, she would be using herself as a mere means to maintain a tolerable condition until death.
D
Which of the following constitutes a common criticism of virtue ethics? a. Virtues are incompatible with the greatest good principle. b. Virtues are indistinguishable from vices. c. Virtues are too indistinct, and do not provide a clear criteria for judgment. d. Goodness in people is only a function of doing good
D
Which of the following is not one of W. D. Ross's prima facie duties? a. reparation b. beneficence c. justice d. sympathy
D
Which of the following people, according to Kant, clearly does the right thing for the right motive? a. A shopkeeper who feels warm sympathy with most of her customers and therefore doesn't overcharge them b. A shopkeeper who believes that charging a fair price will benefit her in the long run so therefore doesn't overcharge her customers. c. A shopkeeper who hates to overcharge her customers but believes doing so will result in the greatest utility for the greatest number of people in town. d. A shopkeeper who has little sympathy for her customers but refuses to overcharge them because she believes doing so is unfair and unethical.
D
Which version of egoism says we should be motivated by self interest and that it is good to pursue self-interests?
Ethical egoism
Which version of utilitarianism would say that killing another person is ALWAYS wrong?
Rule
How would an ethical egoist answer the charge that their theory is problematic because it permits certain actions that go against commonsense morality (such as torturing human beings or animals) so long as they served one's interests?
They would say that torturing animals is never in one's best interest as it makes them less sensitive and being sensitive is beneficial for a person to have.
Who says that individuals are self-interested; that is, they seek to fulfill their interests and desires and above all seek self-preservation? What theory did they come up with to help?
Thomas Hobbs; social contract theory
An act utilitarian believes that we should consider the consequences of which of the following? a. Each act separately b. General practices or policies c. Every act ever committed d. None of these choices
a
Civil law, or the actual laws of any state, local, or federal government, is prescriptive, or normative, like moral law and unlike scientific law. As the moral law, however, natural law is supposed to be a. universal and stable. b. less basic and lower than the laws of any particular society. c. law that in particular societies, naturally varies and changes over time. d. relative to the educational level of the people whose society implements it.
a
Epistemology, important in constructing good ethical arguments, is the branch of philosophy dealing with a. how we know anything. b. the constraint of scientific technologies. c. none of these choices. d. religion.
a
Foot believes that the virtues provide benefits to a. both the virtuous person and to his or her community. b. the virtuous person and the person who receives his or her charity. c. only the individual who receives charity from the virtuous person. d. those who are not naturally inclined to be virtuous.
a
How did the Nuremberg trials reflect the natural law tradition? a. In the Nuremberg trials, prosecutors argued that there was a higher law that all should recognize and take precedence over state laws. b. In the Nuremberg trials, prosecutors argued that there was a higher law that proved the human propensity to evil. c. In the Nuremberg trials, the defense argued that it was natural that humans err, and thus leniency was justified. d. In the Nuremberg trials, the defense argued that there was a higher law that all should recognize and justifies why some take orders from others.
a
How is the approach taken by virtue ethics different from that taken by deontology and utilitarianism? a. Virtue ethics is concerned with how we ought to be, while deontology and utilitarianism are concerned with what we ought to do. b. Virtue ethics is concerned with how we ought to act, while deontology and utilitarianism are concerned with maximizing happiness. c. Virtue ethics is concerned with our motivations, while deontology and utilitarianism are concerned with consequences. d. Virtue ethics is concerned with how we feel, while deontology and utilitarianism are concerned with how we reason.
a
What does it mean to anthropomorphize? a. to interpret the actions and behaviors of animals, genes or other biological entities as having human motivation or meaning b. to say that only humans can have motives c. to insist on animals obeying human laws d. to say that animals do not have to be treated morally
a
Which is a reason for holding relativism to be true? a. moral uncertainty b. belief in natural rights c. similarity of moral views d. belief in moral absolutes
a
Which of the following is not true of Kant's moral theory? a. It emphasizes social benefit over individual rights. b. It emphasizes impartiality. c. It emphasizes moral equality for all persons. d. It emphasizes moral obligation over goals.
a
Which type of ethics does Stevenson say Socrates was engaged in in discussing virtue and knowledge? a. analytical b. normative c. descriptive d. critical
a
According to Aquinas, the prohibition of murder is which of the following? a. Based upon divine revelation and never recorded in laws and sacred texts. b. Derived from the general principle that evil should not be done. c. Based on the idea that humans might become wild like nonhuman animals. d. Derived from a specific idea that we can see evil just as we see evidence of fire through smoke.
b
According to Kant, cultivating one's natural gifts is a duty because a. one cannot possibly live a rational life without doing what one is good at. b. one cannot possibly will that neglecting one's talents should be a universal law of nature. c. one cannot possibly enjoy one's autonomy if one is not fulfilled. d. one cannot possibly be happy if one is not doing what they love.
b
How does Aquinas distinguish good from evil? a. Good is determined by the human capacity for practical reason; evil is caused by exercise of speculative reason. b. Good is that for which people have a natural inclination; that which they naturally abhor is evil. c. Good is that which has the greatest share of god's substance; that which lacks His substance is evil. d. Good is determined by that which produces the greatest freedom for human persons; evil is that which restricts that freedom.
b
How is Kantian ethics grounded in a concept of moral equality? a. It applies to all persons, being created equal in intelligence and rational virtues. b. It applies universally to all rational and autonomous persons. c. It allows exceptions for extreme cases. d. It grants equal rights of liberty, happiness, and basic welfare to all.
b
Hume argues that vice and virtue are objects of a. reason b. feeling c. scientific enquiry d. quality
b
I am trying to determine whether hip hop or classical music produces a better type of pleasure. Who does Mill think would be a "competent judge," the one most qualified to answer my question, in this case? a. A musician with many years of classical training and a deep knowledge of music theory. b. A person who is well acquainted with both hip hop and classical music. c. A person who is open minded and has no previous knowledge of hip hop or classical music. d. A person who recognizes that intellectual pleasures are better than sensual pleasures.
b
If you are offended and experience revulsion at my eating veal, and I am horrified and repulsed by your eating tofu, or by touching it, is that adequate evidence that either eating veal or tofu is immoral? a. Revulsion or being offended, even merely in terms of etiquette, is the same as morality. b. Revulsion alone at someone else's action is not sufficient evidence that it is harmful or immoral. c. Eating veal is immoral, which anyone can tell from looking at a baby cow, and so the mere feeling of revulsion is enough to make a moral judgment. d. Eating tofu is obviously morally neutral, so I don't have to ask about harm or good.
b
One similarity between act utilitarianism and rule utilitarianism is that a. both see honesty as the highest moral duty. b. both emphasize ends or consequences over moral duties. c. both emphasize moral duties over ends or consequences. d. both emphasize individual rights over social goods.
b
What does Hume say about the moral duty of animals? a. Animals have moral duty and act according to it. b. Animals have moral duty but not the capacity to understand morality. c. Animals do not have moral duty because they cannot understand morality. d. Animals do not have moral duty because they do not partake of the relationships it refers to.
b
What, according to Kant, is the difference between persons and things? a. Unlike things, a person can have noble feelings such as sympathy and love. b. Unlike things, which have only relative value, a person's existence is an end in itself. c. Unlike things, which are only capable of meritorious duties, a person has an objective constitution that acts in unison with the moral law. d. Things only respond to apodictic commands, whereas persons are also capable of adopting technical and pragmatic imperatives.
b
Which of the following actions clearly violate Kant's second formulation of the categorical imperative? a. Hiring a laborer to weed your lawn, because you are too lazy to do it yourself. b. Forging your supervisor's signature on an important check to prevent him (and everyone else) in the company from losing their jobs. c. Using persuasive arguments to convince a friend to support a valuable political cause, even though she initially opposed it. d. Informing law enforcement that where a family member is hiding if he or she is a person of interest in an investigation.
b
Which of the following does the Categorical Imperative state? a. Act so as to maximize good and minimize harm for the greatest number of people. b. Act on that maxim that you could will without contradiction as a universal law. c. Act on that maxim that describes the way you would like everyone else to act. d. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
b
Which philosopher did not believe in natural rights or the social contract? a. Locke b. Bentham c. Jefferson d. Hobbes
b
For Kant, motive is more important than which of the following? a. Action b. The greatest good c. Consequences d. None of these choice
c
For classical utilitarians, happiness and pleasure are the only a. important goods. b. instrumental goods. c. intrinsic goods. d. real goods.
c
Kant lived during which of the following? a. 20th Century b. 15th Century c. 18th Century d. 7th Century
c
Natural rights are supposed to be known by the light of reason with as much clarity as the truths of mathematics. However, one criticism of natural rights claims is that not everyone agrees about rights. How might a defender of natural rights answer this objection? a. By arguing that the disagreement shows that we all have reason. b. By arguing that we might never know what those rights are, but we still have them. c. By arguing that we learn things over time and experience and education are required to show us what is true. d. By arguing that some people's reason is not as developed as others', so they don't know what is true.
c
Philosophical ethics a. examines ethics from a religious standpoint. b. examines ethics from a psychological standpoint. c. examines ethics from a critical or evaluative standpoint. d. examines ethics from a historical and sociological standpoint.
c
Some basic ideas expressed in John Stuart Mill's Utilitarianism include a. that people are inherently self-interested and a social contract is necessary in order to compel them to behave morally. b. that it is a misconception that people are inherently selfish and that most people are usually motivated to do the right thing for one another. c. that it is a misconception that morality has nothing to do with usefulness or utility and that morality is opposed to pleasure. d. that morality is about self-sacrifice and is opposed to pleasure.
c
Teleological moral theories are also known by the term a. nonconsequentialist. b. deontological. c. consequentialist. d. epistemological.
c
The end or goal of human law is, for Aquinas, a. to glorify God. b. to honor Creation. c. the well-being of humans. d. to obey God
c
The first form of the categorical imperative requires us to act on those maxims that we can will as which of the following? a. A hypothetical law b. The best consequences c. Universal law d. The worst consequences
c
The name of which classical philosophic theory comes from the Greek word for pleasure? a. Epicureanism b. Instrumentalism c. Hedonism d. Deontological
c
Thomas Aquinas thought that we sometimes lack knowledge of the right thing to do under natural law because a. some people don't know what a conflict of interest is and are biased in favor of their profits. b. all things degenerate like life forms approaching death, and so we have no morality. c. some people's reason is perverted by passion from bad customs or a defective natural disposition. d. God does not always tell us exactly what His will is, and we must guess in all our imperfection.
c
Utilitarians could be accused of treating people as which of the following? a. Ends b. Ascetics c. Means d. Gods
c
Utilitarians might encourage the development of virtue for which of the following reasons? a. Virtues are useful for the social contract or the ease of governing so many people. b. Virtues are pleasant and rewarding for those who have to be virtuous, even if they make others unhappy. c. Virtues are conducive to the maximization of happiness. d. Virtues maximize benefits to those worst off in society at the expense of all others.
c
We state factual beliefs through a. normative judgments. b. emotional judgments, or those based entirely on feelings. c. descriptive or empirical judgments. d. mere opinion
c
What are the two basic types of virtue, or excellence, according to Aristotle? a. prudential and practical b. repetitive and single c. intellectual and moral d. None of these choices
c
What does it mean to say that virtue (or goodness) is the "mean" for Aristotle, and why is it important? a. It means that we should consider the intent of actions, not the consequences. b. It means we should take an average, or arithmetic mean, of the responses on any issue to guide conduct. c. It means experiencing emotions at the right times in the right way for the right causes. d. It means that being persistent or even mean is sometimes necessary in order to get respect from others
c
What does the principle of utility state? a. Act not for that which is unfree; act only for that which knows freedom. b. Act in such a way that the maxim of your action could consistently be adopted as a universal law. c. Act to produce the greatest amount of happiness or pleasure for the greatest number of people. d. One ought to act so that no one is used more than necessary to achieve one's ends.
c
What international codes of human rights in use today contain elements of a natural rights tradition? a. The Declaration of Independence and The Bill of Rights b. The Natural Law Theory and The Laws of Nature c. The United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights and The Geneva Conventions' principles for the conduct of war d. The U.S. Constitution and The Nuremberg Trials
c
What is a key difference between natural law theory and the laws of natural science? a. Natural law theory is consequentialist; natural science is deontological. b. Natural law theory is deconstructive; natural science is reconstructive. c. Natural law theory is prescriptive; natural science is descriptive. d. Natural law theory is practical; natural science is rational.
c
What, according to Aristotle, is the ultimate good of humans? a. Aesthetic self-expression b. Sustenance, shelter, and community c. Happiness, or eudaimonia d. The state of license
c
Which Greek philosopher was one of the first to develop a moral philosophy based on the view that certain actions are right or wrong because they are suited to or go against human nature? a. Epicurus b. Epictetus c. Aristotle d. Plato
c
Which of the following accurately describes Ross' prima facie duties? a. Categorical moral claims that apply under all circumstances b. Considered judgments derived from behind the veil of ignorance c. Intuitively compelling moral demands that are binding unless they conflict with equal or stronger moral claims d. Hypothetical imperatives that help us achieve contingent ends
c
Which of the following is an example of a problem that faces a cultural relativist? a. defining the moral duties, as opposed to the goals or ends b. deciding what can be objectively determined to be actually true or false c. identifying the parameters of the society or group determining moral truth d. ,uncritically adopting the views of their peers without evaluating those views themselves
c
Which of the following pleasures would Mill find to be intrinsically better or of a higher quality? a. the pleasure derived from eating a box of cookies b. the pleasure derived from reading Plato's Republic c. the pleasure derived from watching an action movie d. the pleasure derived from playing video games
c
Which philosopher said, "All evil is ignorance"? a. Mary Wollstonecraft b. David Hume c. Plato d. C. L. Stevenson
c
Which philosopher(s) is/are not skeptical about the idea of human nature? a. Jean-Paul Sartre b. Richard Rorty c. Craig Boyd d. postmodernists
c
Which type of ethics would an anthropologist or other social scientists be most likely to develop? a. analytical b. normative c. descriptive d. critical
c
Which, of the following, was not influential in the development Natural Law or Natural Rights? a. Voltaire b. The Stoics c. Ecclesiastes d. Grotius
c
Bentham emphasizes which of the following? a. The importance of motive to moral worth or good will and intentions to do one's duty b. The quality of pleasure over the quantity of pleasure, best exemplified in intellectual and moral satisfactions c. The virtue of women, as moral guardians, teaching the young, husbands, and brothers d. The quantity of pleasure, measured by various parameters, intensity, duration, fruitfulness, etc. over the quality of pleasure
d
Ethics is useful to study because we a. have too much time on our hands, and so this luxury based on a fiction is fun. b. live in a very stable world in which it is very clear who is right and who is wrong. c. learn clear-cut answers capable of easily resolving all problems quickly. d. live in a world in which human beings have deep conflicts of value
d
How can human rights be grounded in natural rights theory? a. They can be grounded in common sense observations of the unambiguous functions of society. b. They may be viewed as a list of essential human virtues, rooted in a specific cultural tradition. c. They can be seen as safeguards for producing the greatest happiness for the most people. d. They may be viewed as fundamental rights that are more basic and essential than those granted by any state or international body.
d
How, according to Aristotle, do we acquire moral, as opposed to intellectual, virtues? a. We acquire them through learning from exemplary mentors and teachers. b. We acquire them by practicing the architectonic arts or sciences. c. These virtues are implanted in us by nature, to each person in varying degrees. d. We acquire them by repeated virtuous acts, so they become habitual.
d
Natural rights theorists might criticize cultural relativism by arguing for which of the following claims? a. Rights are cultural products. b. Rights are progressive and evolve with society. c. Natural law is different from natural right. d. Rights are universally accessible to human reason.
d
What do "interests" refer to in the utilitarian view ascribed to Peter Singer? a. Fascinations b. Pleasures c. Things that make the party happy d. The overall benefit of the party
d
What does Aristotle say that humans have in common with plants? a. We are all rational beings. b. We are all sentient beings. c. We are all social beings. d. We are all living beings.
d
Which of the following is a common objection made against natural law theory? a. Natural law theory could be used to justify the status quo, no matter how unjust it is, because it is viewed as being in accord with nature. b. It confuses "normal" or "natural" descriptively with a prescription about moral goodness. c. The logic of evolution and genetics isn't necessarily the moral law or the divine law itself, as evidenced by the abuses of Social Darwinism. d. All of these responses
d
Which statement about relativism is true?: a. there is an objectively better position, absolutely, and for all times. To say otherwise is arrogant. b. ethics is subjective, and therefore knowing "good" is like recognizing yellow when you see it. c. no one knows what is true, according to both the moral skeptic and the relativists. d. everyone's view is equally valid, even those of people with distorted, murderous, or psychotic opinions.In what way does Foot think virtues are "corrective"? a. They correct our behavior independent of our will. b. They counteract natural human deficiencies and excesses. c. They serve a correctional or punishing role in our psyche, deterring bad behavior. d. They correct our behaviors so they are in accord with the principle of utility.
d
Why, according to Aquinas, are deceit and ignorance morally objectionable? a. Because they treat rational human persons as means rather than ends in themselves. b. Because they produce a net loss of utility or happiness in the world. c. Because they reflect an unnaturally egoistic rather than altruistic orientation to others. d. Because they obstruct the innate human drive to know the world as it is
d
Why, according to Kant, are wrongful actions "contradictory"? a. Because they treat others as ends rather than means. b. Because they derive from self-interest rather than altruism. c. Because they fail to maximize utility for the worst-off. d. Because they presuppose rules and practices that they violate.
d
2 versions of egoism
ethical and psychological
Does Philippa Foot believe virtues are good or bad for us?
good
Philosophical ethics.... a. examines ethics from a religious standpoint. b. examines ethics from a psychological standpoint. c. examines ethics from a critical or evaluative standpoint. d. examines ethics from a historical and sociological standpoint.
sdfsd
Aristotle had a teleological view of nature, which means he believed everything in nature tends to develop towards its own natural end, which in in greek is..
telos
