Chapter 9

Question 1

According to Rachels the idea that moral rules have no exceptions

Answer 1

is hard to defend.

Question 2

According to Rachels it is easy enough to explain why we should break a rule, how?

Answer 2

we can merely point to cases where following a rule would have terrible consequences.

Question 3

Immanuel Kant believed that moral rules

Answer 3

moral rules are absolute

Question 4

According to Kant lying is…

Answer 4

lying is wrong in all circumstances

Question 5

According to Kant reason always…

Answer 5

reason always forbids lying.

Question 6

According to Kant much of our conduct is governed by

Answer 6

oughts

Question 7

According to Kant the pattern of an ought is

Answer 7

We have a certain desire, we recognize a certain course of action will help us get what we want, so we follow the indicated plan.

Question 8

According to Kant hypothetical imperatives

Answer 8

tell us what to do provided that we have the relevant desires.

Question 9

According to Kant moral obligations

Answer 9

Do not depend on having particular desires.

Question 10

According to Kant moral requirements are

Answer 10

categorical.

Question 11

According to Kant to that a moral requirements are categorical means

Answer 11

they have the form, you ought to do such and such

Question 12

According to Kant hypothetical oughts are possible because

Answer 12

. we have desires

Question 13

According to Kant categorical oughts are possible because

Answer 13

we have reason

Question 14

According to Kant categorical oughts are derived from a principle

Answer 14

that every rational person must accept, the Categorical Imperative.

Question 15

The Categorical Imperative is expressed as follows

Answer 15

Act only according to that maxim by which you can at the same time will that it should become universal law.

Question 16

For Kant a maxim is

Answer 16

When you are thinking about doing something, ask what rule you would be following if you actually did it.

Question 17

The Categorical Imperative demands that your maxims

2

Answer 17

become a universal law.

be followed by all people at all times.

Question 18

According to Kant, being a moral agent, means

Answer 18

moral rules hold, without exception, in all circumstances.

Question 19

According to Kant, lying under any circumstances is

Answer 19

the obliteration of one’s dignity as a human being.

Question 20

According to Kant if lying became common 2

Answer 20

1 Lying would have no point. 2 nobody would pay attention to what you say.

Question 21

According to Kant if lying became common

Answer 21

people would stop believing each other.

Question 22

According to Rachels we are tempted to make exceptions to the rule against lying because in some cases we think

Answer 22

the consequences of truthfulness will be bad and the consequences of lying will be good.

Question 23

While for Kant any lie obliterates one’s dignity as a human being, common sense says

Answer 23

some lies are harmless.

Question 24

According to Rachel’s the main problem with the belief in absolute rules is

Answer 24

shouldn’t a rule be broken when following it would be disastrous?

Question 25

According to Rachel’s what is correct about Kant’s view of absolute rules

Answer 25

1 moral reasons, are binding on all people at all times.

2 create a consistency among our beliefs.