PHI 115 Exam 1

T/F: Virtue theorists and Kantian theorists agree that one must always act out of a sense of duty, not from such unstable motivations as compassion or loyalty.

false

T/F: Virtue theorists believe that right action is unimportant.

false

T/F: An ethical egoist does whatever she or he desires to do or whatever gives her or him the most immediate pleasure.

false

T/F: Annette Baier maintains that in moral theory, there is a place for both justice and consequences.

false

T/F: Contemporary virtue ethicists agree that a morality of rule adherence is the goal of ethics.

false

T/F: Cultural relativism applies only when considering cultures from countries other than one's own.

false

T/F: Cultural relativists can consistently claim that tolerance of other cultures is morally right everywhere.

false

T/F: Feelings do not play an important role in our moral experience.

false

T/F: Mary Midgley strongly supports moral isolationism because it allows for moral reasoning.

false

T/F: One can achieve happiness by pursuing happiness directly.

false

T/F: Religious moral codes typically provide clear and direct answers to all moral questions.

false

T/F: Social reformers are always right in the view of cultural relativist.

false

T/F: There are never good reason for treating someone differently from the way you treat others.

false

T/F: To a nonconsequentialist, telling a lie is wrong primarily because it results in bad consequences.

false

T/F: Virtue ethics and utilitarianism are nearly identical theories.

false

T/F: What matters most in act-utilitarianism is how much net happiness comes directly from performing an action, as opposed to how much happiness following a rule that applies to the action tends to create.

true

T/F: William Frankena says that virtues without principles are blind.

true

The first step in assessing a theory is to ensure that the theory meets the minimum requirement of: a. simplicity. b. equilibrium. c. coherence. d. fruitfulness.

c. coherence.

According to Virginia Held, the central focus of the ethics of care is: a. relating to other autonomous, rational humans. b. concern over rights, justice, and rules. c. concern for the particular others for whom we take responsibility. d. developing a distinct theory of ethics that undermines classical theories.

c. concern for the particular others for whom we take responsibility.

T/F: Bentham and Mill had identical views on happiness.

false

T/F: Most great ethical theorists have held that women and men are equal.

false

T/F: Most moral philosophers would probably say that virtues are irrelevant to morality.

false

T/F: Ethical egoism says that the morally right action is the one that produces the most favorable balance of good over evil for oneself.

true

T/F: Moral agents can be mistaken about their moral experiences.

true

T/F: Some argue against virtue ethics by pointing out that a person may posses all the proper virtues and still be unable to tell right from wrong actions.

true

T/F: A major problem with utilitarianism is that it does not promote human welfare.

false

T/F: A moral theory is equivalent to a moral code.

false

T/F: According to the author, in building a moral theory, the most important concern is to include multiple absolute rules.

false

To a cultural relativist, when someone says, "Capital punishment is wrong," what is that person really saying? a. "I personally disapprove of capital punishment." b. "My culture says that capital punishment is wrong." c. "I am expressing a purely emotional response." d. "Everyone should think capital punishment is wrong."

b. "My culture says that capital punishment is wrong."

T/F: All major religious thinkers have accepted the divine command theory.

false

T/F: All norms are moral norms.

false

If I say that violence is never morally permissible, and you say that violence is sometimes morally permissible, then which statement is true according to subjective relativism? a. We are having a moral disagreement, and I am right. b. We are having a moral disagreement, and we are both right. c. We are having a moral disagreement, and neither of us is right. d. We are not having a moral disagreement.

d. We are not having a moral disagreement.

Western ethics is alleged to prefer male-associated values, such as: a. joy. b. peace. c. interdependence. d. domination.

d. domination

Which BEST summarizes the Euthyphro dilemma that Socrates raises from divine command theory? a. Either actions are morally right because God wills them to be so, or God commands actions because they are right, and both options lead to problems for divine command theory. b. If God gives commands that humans cannot follow, we will not have any useful guidance on how to act. c. God cannot simply will actions to be right without having a reason to think that they are right, so God relies on moral reasoning, just like humans do. d. The divine command theory must be wrong because God's commands conflict and leave out important details.

a. Either actions are morally right because God wills them to be so, or God commands actions because they are right, and both options lead to problems for divine command theory.

Which of the following is true according to subjective relativism? a. I cannot be mistaken about what is morally right for me. b. I cannot be mistaken about what is morally right for other people. c. I sometimes make mistakes about what is morally right. d. If most people believe an action is wrong, then it really is wrong.

a. I cannot be mistaken about what is morally right for me.

Which of the following must an adequate moral theory be consistent with? a. considered moral judgments b. other moral theories c. social norms d. legal norms

a. considered moral judgments

The primary argument for ethical egoism: a. depends heavily on psychological egoism. b. depends heavily on act-utilitarianism. c. is the argument from selfishness. d. is the argument from false atruism.

a. depends heavily on psychological egoism.

According to earlier research by psychologist Carol Gilligan, men tend to think in terms of the: a. ethic of justice. b. ethic of care. c. utilitarian theory of ethics. d. duty theory of ethics.

a. ethic of justice.

According to emotivism, if someone says, "No one should eat meat," that person is: a. expressing his/her emotions. b. making a sound moral argument. c. suppressing his/her emotional response in order to make an argument. d. an example of a cultural relativist.

a. expressing his/her emotions.

The main criticism of virtue ethics is that it: a. is not useful. b. fails to meet the minimum requirement of coherence. c. fails to fit with our common sense moral judgments and experience. d. is unconcerned with character.

a. is not useful.

One criticism of social contract theory is that: a. it's unclear how those who don't explicitly agree to a social contract can be obligated to it. b. no one can be trusted with the power of the sovereign. c. the state of nature is not as bad as Hobbes claims it is. d. contracts cannot sufficiently motivate people to be considered a ground for moral obligation.

a. it's unclear how those who don't explicitly agree to a social contract can be obligated to it.

Which field would study the following question, "What does it mean for an action to be wrong?" a. meta ethics b. normative ethics c. descriptive ethics d. applied ethics

a. meta ethics

Contemporary virtue ethicists maintain that a full-blown ethics must take into account: a. motives, feelings, intentions, and moral wisdom. b. emotions, rules, codes, and principles. c. the duty to act out of duty alone. d. right action in accordance with moral theories.

a. motives, feelings, intentions, and moral wisdom.

Kant stresses the point that it is wrong for us to interfere with other person's autonomous actions. this implies that all persons have: a. negative rights. b. positive rights. c. distributive justice. d. benificence

a. negative rights.

One cornerstone of feminist ethics is the: a. nonideal. b. principle of autonomy. c. ideal. d. public life.

a. nonideal.

A theory in conflict with one's basic moral experiences is: a. probably false. b. most certainly false. c. neither true nor false. d. subjective

a. probably false.

According to Louis Pojman, one of the problems with ethical egoism is that it: a. prohibits altruistic behavior. b. depends on good consequences. c. costs a lot of money. d. demands altruistic behavior.

a. prohibits altruistic behavior.

Consequentialist moral theories sat that what makes an action right is its: a. results. b. sequential order. c. relationship to virtue. d. conformity with cultural norms.

a. results.

Traditional moral theories' focus on public life ensures relationships of justice between: a. strangers. b. caregivers and dependents. c. family. d. friends.

a. strangers.

What is the dominance of moral norms? a. that moral norms override nonmoral norms when there is a conflict b. that nonmoral considerations are allowed to dominate over moral norms c. that moral norms derive their power from a dominating force, such as a threat of violence d. that moral norms are just one kind of norm, among many other kinds

a. that moral norms override nonmoral norms when there is a conflict

Ethics, or moral philosophy, is: a. the philosophical study of topics such as right and wrong, good and bad. b. the study of social rules and the ways they have changed over time. c. the study of religious texts and principles to determine their best interpretation. d. the scientific study of human beliefs about what is right or wrong, good or bad.

a. the philosophical study of topics such as right and wrong, good and bad.

Which of the following is required by the principle of impartiality? a. to justify any discriminatory treatment by providing morally relevant differences b. to treat everyone exactly the same in all situations c. to set aside your individual biases and do whatever is favored by the group d. to always put the interests of others before your own

a. to justify any discriminatory treatment by providing morally relevant differences

Aristotle argues that the greatest good for humans is eudaimonia, which means: a. "pleasure" or "contentment." b. "happiness" or "flourishing." c. "altruism." d. "justice."

b. "happiness" or "flourishing."

Much of the interest in the ethics of care was sparked by research done by: a. Aristotle. b. Carol Gilligan. c. Virginia Held. d. Hegal.

b. Carol Gilligan.

What does it mean if something is instrumentally valuable? a. Its value comes from its use as a tool. b. It is a means to obtaining something intrinsically valuable. c. It is not intrinsically valuable. d. It is psychologically valuable, because we believe it is valuable.

b. It is a means to obtaining something intrinsically valuable.

An emotivist would call a moral disagreement about abortion: a. a dispute over moral values. b. a disagreement in attitude. c. an example of cognitivism. d. a disagreement in cultures.

b. a disagreement in attitude.

Moral philosophers of all stripes recognize that emotions can: a. undermine ethical reasoning. b. alert us to moral evil. c. help to solidify autonomy. d. reduce messiness in life.

b. alert us to moral evil.

The principle of universalizability demands that a moral statement that applies to one situation must apply in: a. no other situations. b. all other situations that are relevantly similar. c. all situations involving the same people. d. all other situations.

b. all other situations that are relevantly similar.

Feminist ethics is: a. an entirely new moral theory. b. an alternative way of looking at the concepts and concerns of the moral life. c. concerned primarily with humans as independent and rational. d. a rejection of any theory that originated with a man.

b. an alternative way of looking at the concepts and concerns of the moral life.

What is a negative right? a. an obligation for others to give up something for our benefit b. an obligation for others to not prevent us from obtaining something c. a right to avoid participating in certain obligations d. a right to harm oneself, as long as one does not harm others

b. an obligation for others to not prevent us from obtaining something

Critics of rule-utilitarianism say that: a. its rules are too demanding. b. it collapses into act-utilitarianism. c. it is no different than Kantian ethics. d. appropriate rules cannot be formulated.

b. it collapses into act-utilitarianism.

When looking for moral guidance, a virtue ethicist is likely to consult which of the following? a. moral principles b. moral exemplars c. abstract reasoning d. casuistic reasoning

b. moral exemplars

Which field studies the moral principles, rules, or theories that guide our actions and judgments? a. meta ethics b. normative ethics c. descriptive ethics d. applied ethics

b. normative ethics

If you believe that some moral principles are valid for everyone, regardless of culture or moral outlook, you subscribe to: a. meta ethics. b. objectivism. c. emotivism. d. moral ethics.

b. objectivism.

What is prima facie principles? a. principles that apply without exception b. principles that apply unless an exception is justified c. principles that apply when a moral theory conflicts with our moral theories d. principles that are absolute moral rules

b. principles that apply unless an exception is justified

Act-utilitarianism is the theory that: a. the morally right action is the one covered by a rule that, if followed consistently, would produce the best balance of good over evil, everyone considered. b. right actions are those that directly produce the best balance of good over evil, everyone considered. c. right actions are those that advance one's own best interests. d. right actions are those that conform to one's moral intuitions.

b. right actions are those that directly produce the best balance of good over evil, everyone considered.

The claim that morality arises from an agreement that self-interested and rational people abide by in order to secure a degrees of peace, prosperity, and safety is called: a. rule-utilitarianism. b. social contract theory. c. psychological egoism. d. the "no-rest" theory.

b. social contract theory.

Which view says that an action may be morally right for a person if no one, even the person himself, approves it? a. cultural relativism b. subjective relativism c. emotivism d. objectivism

b. subjective relativism

Claiming that "real life is much messier" than traditional moralities have considered, some feminist ethicists make which of the following a cornerstone of their ethics? a. impartiality b. the nonideal c. the ideal d. rationality

b. the nonideal

Ethical egoism is a theory that: a. selfishness is the whole of morality. b. the right action is the one that advances one's own best interests. c. the right action is the one that accords with duty. d. the right action is the one that maximizes happiness for all concerned.

b. the right action is the one that advances one's own best interests.

What is descriptive ethics? a. the philosophical study of right and wrong through the use of descriptive details b. the scientific study of moral beliefs and practices c. the ethical rules and principles concerning the proper way to give descriptions d. the interpretation of great moral writings

b. the scientific study of moral beliefs and practices

Generally, in virtue ethics, moral obligations are derived from: a. rules. b. virtues. c. principles. d. theories.

b. virtues.

Which statements BEST summarizes what the author describes as important features of ethics? a. Ethics requires that we always set aside our feelings and make decisions based on universally accepted rules. b. Ethics allows us to make exceptions to moral norms when legal or aesthetic norms override them. c. Ethics require that we be able to give good reasons for our judgments, especially when we judge that two people should be treated differently. d. Ethics allows us to consider both sides of moral issues and helps us to see how both sides are right in some sense.

c. Ethics require that we be able to give good reasons for our judgements, especially when we judge that two people should be treated differently.

Aristotle's notion of a moral virtue is what he calls: a. ethical flourishing. b. the good life. c. the Golden Mean. d. eudaimonia.

c. the Golden Mean.

Which of the following is a reason that religious believers need to do ethics? a. All major religions and religious thinkers promote ethical behavior. b. Religious moral codes provide guidance on how to live or what to do. c. Religious rules of conduct sometimes conflict with each other or with our beliefs. d. Many people do not follow the rules laid down in their religion.

c. Religious rules of conduct sometimes conflict with each other or with our beliefs.

Which philosopher has described the natural condition of mankind as a state of war in which every man is against every other man? a. Louis Pojman b. John Stuart Mill c. Thomas Hobbes

c. Thomas Hobbes

If you and I belong to the same culture, and I say capital punishment is always wrong, whereas you say capital punishment is sometimes right, which statement is true according to cultural relativism? a. We are not having a moral disagreement. b. We are having a moral disagreement that cannot be resolved. c. We can resolve our disagreement through an opinion poll. d. Our disagreements is a disagreement in attitudes, not a disagreement in beliefs.

c. We can resolve our disagreement through an opinion poll.

Which of the following statements BEST summarizes the disadvantages of trying to avoid doing ethics? a. You will never be sure whether your actions are ethical in the eyes of God. b. You will be forced to allow other people to hold different moral beliefs, and you will have to admit that your beliefs are no better than anyone else's. c. You will not really be in control of your own choices, and you will run a risk of being lost if your moral beliefs do not answer certain questions. d. You will have to dent that anything is morally wrong and accept that all actions are morally permissible.

c. You will not really be in control of your own choices, and you will run a risk of being lost if your moral beliefs are no better than anyone else's.

Hobbes believe that a secure and orderly society arises from a social contract and: a. an agreed upon time for amendment of the contract. b. agreement on nonmoral interests. c. a powerful sovereign. d. explicit affirmation of the contract.

c. a powerful sovereign.

Nonconsequentialist moral theories sat that the rightness of an action: a. depends on a moral code. b. depends on the amount of good it produces. c. does not depend entirely on its consequences. d. does not depend on its form.

c. does not depend entirely on its consequences.

Important work was done for feminist approaches to philosophy and ethics by Mary Wollstonecraft and other during the: a. ninth and tenth centuries. b. fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. c. eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. d. twentieth and twenty-first centuries.

c. eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

Which of the following concepts does feminist ethics give greater respect to than Kant's ethical theory does? a. impartiality b. the ideal human c. emotions d. rationality

c. emotions

According to Aristotle, moral virtue is acquired through: a. birth. b. conscientious study of ethics. c. habit. d. chance.

c. habit.

Cultural relativists would say that if an action is morally right in one culture,: a. it must be morally right in all cultures. b. it must be because of that culture's religious beliefs. c. it can be morally wrong in another culture. d. a geographically close culture will also deem the action morally right.

c. it can be morally wrong in another culture.

Even if the basic argument for cultural relativism fails, it is an appealing doctrine to many people because: a. it encourages curiosity about other cultures. b. it endorses objectivism. c. it seems to promote tolerance toward other cultures. d. it does not allow for emotional responses.

c. it seems to promote tolerance toward other cultures.

Critics charge that act-utilitarianism's most serious problem is that it conflicts with common sense views about: a. love. b. utility. c. justice. d. happiness.

c. justice.

The ethics of care emphasizes which virtues that traditional theories have largely ignored? a. courage and honor b. justice and honesty c. love and sympathy d. impassivity and self-knowledge

c. love and sympathy

T/F: Utilitarianism reminds us that the consequences of actions must figure in our moral deliberations.

true

Which of the following BEST describes the relationship between a moral theory and considered moral judgment? a. A moral theory informs our considered moral judgments and is the ultimate test of whether those judgments are true. b. A moral theory summarizes out considered moral judgments and cannot give us information beyond what those judgments tell us. c. A moral theory allows us to overturn and reject the considered moral judgments that have always seemed doubtful. d. A moral theory is shaped by considered moral judgments and can help adjudicate conflicts among those judgments and other moral statements.

d. A moral theory is shaped by considered moral judgments and can help adjudicate conflicts among those judgments and other moral statements.

Assume that human life is intrinsically valuable. Which of these conclusions is BEST supported by that assumption? a. Whatever helps humans gain knowledge is instrumentally valuable. b. Whatever raises the quality of human life is intrinsically valuable. c. Whatever humans value is intrinsically valuable. d. Whatever helps humans stay alive is instrumentally valuable.

d. Whatever helps humans stay alive is instrumentally valuable.

Annette C. Baier argues that the best moral theory has to be: a. a purely rational approach. b. one grounded in humans as autonomous. c. solely a product of women. d. a cooperative product of women and men.

d. a cooperative product of women and men.

Which actions does divine command theory say are morally right? a. actions agreed upon by religious believers b. actions that maximize the good c. actions that honor the divine d. actions that God commands

d. actions that God commands

What is a moral theory? a. an explanation of how people apply moral norms in their lives b. an explanation of how moral norms affect people's behavior c. an explanation of what causes people to act morally or immorally d. an explanation of what makes an action right or what makes a person or thing good

d. an explanation of what makes an action right or what makes a person or thing good

Which view says that moral judgments ascribe moral properties to actions or people and are statements that can be true or false? a. universalizability b. emotivism c. noncognitivism d. cognitivism

d. cognitivism

A major criticism of ethical egoism is that it: a. fails to take into account personal happiness. b. does not maximize utility. c. is consistent with selfish acts. d. is not consistent with one's considered moral judgments.

d. is not consistent with one's considered moral judgments.

For Aristotle, the virtuous and happy life is a life of: a. pleasure. b. honor. c. duty. d. moderation.

d. moderation.

Aristotle insists that there must be room in morality for: a. ethical egoism. b. religious codes. c. moral theories. d. moral achievement.

d. moral achievement.

Feminist ethics has emphasized _____ more than traditional theories of ethics have. a. justice b. rules c. autonomy d. personal relationships

d. personal relationships

Aristotle says that the moral life consists not in following moral rules that stipulate right actions but in: a. striving to maximize pleasure and minimize pain. b. achieving virtuous perfection by performing perfect duties. c. striving to overcome evil. d. striving to be a virtuous person whose actions stem naturally from virtuous character.

d. striving to be a virtuous person whose actions stem naturally from virtuous character.

Which view holds that there is no objective morality and that cultural norms do not make something right or wrong but rather that individuals do? a. emotivism b. descriptive ethics c. cultural relativism d. subjective relativism

d. subjective relativism

T/F: Virtue ethics puts primary emphasis on being a good person and living a good life.

true

T/F: A cultural relativist will agree with this statement: "It is morally permissible to smoke marijuana in Amsterdam if the culture of Amsterdam approves of it."

true

T/F: A fact of one's moral experience is that occasionally one has moral disagreements.

true

T/F: A moral theory that's internally inconsistent is not eligible for further evaluation.

true

T/F: According to Christopher Phillips, the Socratic Method "compels us to explore alternative perspectives, asking what must be said for or against each.:

true

T/F: According to Thomas Hobbes, the first and fundamental law of nature is to seek peace and follow it.

true

T/F: According to social contract theory, morality is objective.

true

T/F: According to some feminist ethicists, we have moral duties to our families and friends that we don't have to strangers in public life.

true

T/F: Critics claim that virtue ethicists argue in a circle when they speak about moral character and right action.

true

T/F: Emotivists believe that moral judgments are about feelings rather than the truth of falsity of moral statements.

true

T/F: If a moral belief such as "Equals should be treated equally" is self-evident, then we can be confident that it is true, unless we find good evidence against it.

true

T/F: Julia Driver discusses some of the challenges to Virtue Ethics.

true

T/F: Many great religious thinkers have relied on reason to understand the truths of morality.

true

T/F: Nothing is truly good or bad, according to emotivists.

true

T/F: One's considered moral judgments can be mistaken.

true

T/F: Philosophers such as Aristotle and Hegal present the home as an arena in which of the most fully human excellences are incapable of being realized.

true

T/F: Self-interest is a pillar on which the economic system of capitalism is built.

true

T/F: Some feminist ethicists argue against the claim that impartiality is an essential characteristic of morality.

true

T/F: Some feminist philosophers hold that traditional moral theories are compatible with feminist ethics.

true

T/F: The statement "Shoplifting is wrong" attempts to influence others' attitudes about shoplifting, according to emotivists.

true