Test 1 Study Guide

Question 1

___ 1. Which of the following in NOT a reason given for developing our natural moral reasoning skills?

a. We should be able to critically evaluate our own beliefs.
b. As we develop our skills we will be able to win more ethical arguments.
c. People of all perspect ives should be able to hold meaningful dialogue with each other.
d. Diverse communities necessitate that values be built of reason.

Answer 1

b. As we develop our skills we will be able to win more ethical arguments.

Question 2

2. Hume’s Law is about
   a. The difficulty of connecting ethics and natural science.
   b. The ethics of religion.
   c. The question of capital punishment.
   d. The problem of deriving an ought from an is.

Answer 2

d. The problem of deriving an ought from an is.

Question 3

Metaethics is largely about studying

a. The meanings of ethical language.
b. Those things which are beyond normal ethics.
c. Historical literature about ethics.
d. Ethical decisions sanctioned by religious beliefs.

Answer 3

a. The meanings of ethical language.

Question 4

The reasons supporting a conclusion in an argument are called

a. ethical principles.
b. ad hominems.
c. valid forms.
d. premises.

Answer 4

d. premises.

Question 5

Ethical theory does which of the following

a. Proves an argument to be right or wrong.
b. Shows people how they should act.
c. Agrees with legal decisions.
d. Provides reasons for judging actions to be right or wrong.

Answer 5

d. Provides reasons for judging actions to be right or wrong.

Question 6

Another name for a good argument is

a. A correct argument.
b. A sound argument.
c. A winning argument.
d. A fair argument.

Answer 6

b. A sound argument.

Question 7

The difference between teleological and deontological is that

a. Teleological is moral and deontological is immoral.
b. Teleological is focused on intention and deontological is focused on motive.
c. Deontological is focused of intention and teleological is focused on consequence.
d. Deontological is moral and teleological is immoral.

Answer 7

Deontological is focused of intention and teleological is focused on consequence.

Question 8

Ethics requires skillful reasoning. Which of the following is NOT important to making a good argument?

a. The structure of the argument.
b. The conclusion follows from the premises.
c. The argument leads to the right conclusion.
d. The argument has internal logic.

Answer 8

c. The argument leads to the right conclusion.

Question 9

Which of the following best describes Ethics?

a. A form of the

“

golden rule.

”

b. A branch of philosophy that uses reason to support positions.
c. A body of beliefs about right and wrong handed down from one generation to the next.
d. Behavior that is agreed upon to be moral by the majority.

Answer 9

b. A branch of philosophy that uses reason to support positions.

Question 10

Ethical theories that focus primarily on CONSEQUENCES in determining moral rightness and wrongness are called ________.
A. virtue ethics B. deontological ethics
C. utilitarianism D. teleological ethics

Answer 10

D. teleological ethics

Question 11

The view that holds that there are NO universally valid moral principles, but that such principles are HUMAN INVENTIONS, is which of the following?
A. moral objectivism B. ethical relativism
C. ethnocentrism D. ethical nihilism

Answer 11

B. ethical relativism

Question 12

One ought to pay one’s taxes.

Answer 12

Legal (L) or Ethical (E)

Question 13

That is a worthless piece of art because it says nothing and expresses nothing.

Answer 13

Aesthetic (A)

Question 14

What he did was praiseworthy because it was so selfless

Answer 14

Ethical (E)

Question 15

You ought to stand when the Queen enters the room.

Answer 15

Custom (C)

Question 16

More people now than twenty years ago believe that the death penalty is sometimes justified.

Answer 16

Descriptive (D)

Question 17

We ought to respect our elders because it is the right thing to do

Answer 17

Normative (N)

Question 18

It would not be right to decorate a room with furniture from two different historical periods.

Answer 18

Normative (N)

Question 19

Which type of ethics analyzes and asks the meaning and function of ethical terms such as “good” or “right” and ethical statements such as “This is Good.”
(1) Normative ethics (NE), or (2) Metaethics (M)

Answer 19

Metaethics (M)?

Question 20

The statement “More than half the people in this country believe that giving military aid to foreign governments is wrong”

Answer 20

Descriptive (D

Question 21

That type of ethics which holds that an act is never justified by its consequences, the end does not justify the means: Teleological (T) or Deontological (D) ethics?

Answer 21

Deontological (D

Question 22

Although you intended well, what you did was bad because it caused more harm than good

Answer 22

Consequentialist (C)

Question 23

Students ought not to cheat on their ethics test because if everyone cheated then the test grades would not mean anything.

Answer 23

Consequentialist (C)

Question 24

It is only fair that you give him a chance for the position.

Answer 24

Non-consequentialist (NC)

Question 25

To say that Sue has a right to know the truth is to give a consequentialist reason for being honest.

Answer 25

b. False

Question 26

Looking at the source of an opinion instead of the reason given for it is called begging the question.

Answer 26

b. False

Question 27

While emotions or feelings may play some role in moral considerations, one is also expected to give reasons for one's moral judgments.

Answer 27

a. True

Question 28

Recommending a certain behavior such as sharing due to one’s own approval of that behavior is known as emotivism.

Answer 28

a. True

Question 29

According to the text, one reason why we study ethics is to see whether we can justify the beliefs we already hold.

Answer 29

a. True

Question 30

Ethics is exclusively a descriptive discipline.

Answer 30

b. False

Question 31

Ethics is that branch of philosophy that is concerned with how we ought to live, with the idea of the good, and with the meaning of such concepts as right and wrong.

Answer 31

a. True

Question 32

"People often find it difficult to do what they believe is right" is a normative statement.

Answer 32

b. False

Question 33

Ethics is that branch of philosophy that seeks to discover what different moral beliefs different people do in fact have.

Answer 33

b. False

Question 34

Ethical considerations always start from the top, in other words, with the formulation of ethical principles or basic ethical values.

Answer 34

b. False

Question 35

The following is an example of normative ethics: "Capital punishment is wrong because it is wrong to directly take a human life."

Answer 35

a. True

Question 36

An ethical theory is a systematic exposition of a particular view about what is the nature and basis of good or right.

Answer 36

a. True

Question 37

In doing metaethics one analyzes the meaning and function of ethical language.

Answer 37

a. True

Question 38

Descriptive morality has to do with describing how people SHOULD live.

Answer 38

_F

Question 39

Even though some aspects of morality are not covered by law, morality sometimes overrides law.

Answer 39

T

Question 40

Ethics is a discipline that ask questions, such as, “what is beauty?”

Answer 40

F

Question 41

Philosophy literally means “the love of ethics”.

Answer 41

F

Question 42

Etiquette does not get at the heart of what it means to live a good life.

Answer 42

T

Question 43

Applied ethics does not deal with controversial moral problems.

Answer 43

F

Question 44

According to Martha Nussbaum, the central capacities a. provide the basis of respect for differences. b. Can be realized independent of individual taste. c. Can each be concretely realized in different ways. d. Are contradictory to living an ethical life.

Answer 44

c. Can each be concretely realized in different ways.

Question 45

Strong ethical relativism holds that a. There is no objective right and wrong. b. Right and wrong are not really knowable. c. Some actions are more right than others. d. All actions are equally moral.

Answer 45

a. There is no objective right and wrong.

Question 46

___ 3. Which is not a reason for supporting ethical relativism a. Moral uncertainty. b. Diversity of moral views. c. Situational differences. d. Social cohesion.

Answer 46

d. Social cohesion.

Question 47

Absolutism is described as the view that a. It is impossible to know somethings. b. What is good in a concrete case differs from person to person. c. Moral principles are independent of contexts. d. There are no universal norms.

Answer 47

c. Moral principles are independent of contexts.

Question 48

According to W.D. Ross, the fact that there are several prima facie duties means a. That ethical absolutism is the correct approach. b. There is a hierarchical structure to the universal value system. c. That we are obligated to fulfill all of them. d. That there will be conflicts of values.

Answer 48

d. That there will be conflicts of values.

Question 49

The view that holds that there are NO universally valid moral principles, but that such principles are HUMAN INVENTIONS, is which of the following? A. moral objectivism B. ethical relativism C. ethnocentrism D. ethical nihilism

Answer 49

B. ethical relativism

Question 50

A person who holds the view that there are NON-OVERRIDEABLE moral principles that one ought NEVER violate and that moral principles are EXCEPTIONLESS would be known as: A. moral objectivist B. moderate objectivist C. moral absolutist D. natural law theorist

Answer 50

C. moral absolutist

Question 51

The theory that denies universal ethical principles altogether is known as:: A. moral objectivistism B. moderate objectivism C. ethical relativism D. ethical situationalism

Answer 51

C. ethical relativism

Question 52

Is the relativist necessarily more tolerant than the objectivist?

Answer 52

The cultural relativist might preach tolerance if that were thought by his or her society to be good. He or she could not say that it is really good to be tolerant, but only that in that society it is good to be tolerant. The objectivist could hold that one ought to be tolerant because it is really or objectively good to be tolerant

Question 53

How would an objectivist respond to the subjectivist/ relativist argument that there is no objective right and wrong because people never agree about what is right and wrong.

Answer 53

They might give other examples of cases in which we do not agree about something, such as the date of the death of George Washington, and then explain that this disagreement does not prove that he did not die! Or they might offer that we argue and disagree about many things because we think that there is an answer and we want to convince the other or find out what it is.

Question 54

How could one be an objectivist or nonrelativist and yet hold that what is right in some circumstances is wrong or bad in others?

Answer 54

One could hold both if the objective value that one believed in, such as happiness or freedom, were some very general value. Then this value might be furthered or realized differently in different situations. What promoted happiness in one circumstance might not do so in others, and what furthered freedom in some setting might not do so in other places. Such is the case with weak interpretations of ethical relativism.

Question 55

According to the text, the essence of both descriptive and ethical relativism is the belief that people do differ fundamentally about what is right and wrong.

Answer 55

b. False

Question 56

Social or cultural relativism holds that what is right is whatever one's society or culture holds is right.

Answer 56

a. True

Question 57

According to individual ethical relativism, I cannot be objectively mistaken in my moral judgments.

Answer 57

a. True

Question 58

. If people disagree about some moral matter, their disagreement will always be due to their having different moral values.

Answer 58

b. False

Question 59

Richard Rorty argues that there is no algorithm to determine precise answers about which beliefs are better than others.

Answer 59

a. True

Question 60

Weak forms of ethical relativism hold that there are objective moral principles, even though they will need to be applied differently in different contexts.

Answer 60

a. True

Question 61

The belief that what is right in some circumstances is not necessarily right in others cannot be held by ethical objectivists.

Answer 61

b. False

Question 62

ccording to the text, moral skeptics hold that it is difficult or impossible to know what is good or bad, right or wrong.

Answer 62

a. True

Question 63

Moral pluralists hold that there are many different ultimate values but also argue whether some rank higher than others.

Answer 63

b. False

Question 64

Strong ethical relativism holds that there is no objective good or bad, right or wrong.

Answer 64

a. True

Question 65

Shared moral agreements can result in different conclusions when people have different factual agreements.

Answer 65

a. True

Question 66

Subjectivism or Individual Relativism says that ALL moral principles are justified by virtue of their acceptance by an individual agent (or person).

Answer 66

a. True

Question 67

Cultural Relativism says that all moral principles are justified by virtue of their cultural acceptance.

Answer 67

a. True

Question 68

The Diversity Thesis (or “Diversity of Moral Views”) says that what is considered morally right and wrong DIFFERS from society to society, so there are no universal moral standards held by all societies.

Answer 68

a. True

Question 69

Another name for Subjectivism is Cultural Relativism.

Answer 69

b. False

Question 70

Cultural Relativism leads to the absurdity that one person could be Morally right AND morally wrong at the same time.

Answer 70

a. True

Question 71

Moral ABSOLUTISM says that there are some moral principles that should NEVER be violated.

Answer 71

a. True

Question 72

Moral objectivists claim that each moral principle must be weighed to other moral principles depending on the circumstances.

Answer 72

a. True

Question 73

All of the following are used to evaluate ethical egoism except a. Grounding in Psychological egoism. b. Consistency and coherence. c. Conformity to commonsense morality. d. Effectiveness in satisfying individual interest.

Answer 73

c. Conformity to commonsense morality.

Question 74

According to individual ethical egoism one should a. Ignore the needs of others. b. Help others to help themselves. c. Do what is in one's self interest. d. Do what makes one happy at the moment.

Answer 74

c. Do what is in one's self interest.

Question 75

What does Glaucon want to demonstrate by giving two people rings? a. Even "good" people will do evil if they can act without consequence. b. The people have a deep bond with each other. c. The people are children of the king. d. People can be trusted with great power.

Answer 75

a. Even "good" people will do evil if they can act without | consequence.

Question 76

Which of the following is not an example of ethical egoism? a. We should treat others well because we want to be treated well in return. b. We should treat others well so they will treat others well. c. We should work hard because a "job well done is its own reward." d. We should work hard because doing so is a good model for our children.

Answer 76

b. We should treat others well so they will treat others | well.

Question 77

According to psychological egoism people a. Act in ways that are harmful to them. b. Often act against their own self interests. c. Act in the way they perceive to be best for them. d. Act out of deep subconscious needs.

Answer 77

c. Act in the way they perceive to be best for them.

Question 78

In the story questioning Lincoln's ability to be selfless, Lincoln a. Talked to the family of a fallen soldier. b. Rescued a pig. c. Entered the fight about Texas' right to become a slave state. d. Ignored a person in need.

Answer 78

b. Rescued a pig.

Question 79

The ring of Gyges can best be described as which of the following? a. A ring of inheritance indicating royalty. b. A ring that represents a committed romance. c. A ring that cam make the wearer invisible. d. A geological formation in ancient Greece

Answer 79

c. A ring that cam make the wearer invisible.

Question 80

For psychological egoism to be valid, we must show people a. Act with an aim of achieving self-satisfaction. b. Get self-satisfaction from their actions. c. Use others in selfish ways. d. Need to make other people happy

Answer 80

a. Act with an aim of achieving self-satisfaction.

Question 81

The view that the perfection of one's abilities in a state of happiness is the highest goal for humans and that we have a moral duty to attempt to reach this goal is held by: A. Rand B. Plato C. Hobbes D. Medlin

Answer 81

A. Rand

Question 82

The theory that holds that we should sometimes put other peoples' interests above our own is ________. A. ethical egoism B. psychological egosim C. altruism D. virtue ethics

Answer 82

C. altruism

Question 83

The argument that states that in order to reach the goal of egoism, a person must give up egoism and become an altruist, is the: A. inconsistent outcomes argument B. problem of future generations C. paradox of ethical egoism D. argument from counterintuitive consequences

Answer 83

C. paradox of ethical egoism

Question 84

``` Considering posterity (future generations), ethical egoists say: A. future people matter B. you are obligated not to care C. Be an altruist D. you should only look out for people related to you ```

Answer 84

B. you are obligated not to care

Question 85

The view that says social structures and behavioral patterns are biologically based and explained by evolutionary theory: A. sociological ethics B. evolutionary egoism C. altruism D. Pro-social behaviors

Answer 85

D. Pro-social behaviors

Question 86

Is ethical egoism contrary to commonsense morality?

Answer 86

One could answer yes and no with reasons. Ethical egoism might be considered contrary to commonsense morality in the sense that if it were true, then many things we generally think are wrong would be right. Among these are torturing innocent children and lying to suit one's interests. On the other hand, there might be some truth to the assertion that we ought to take better care of ourselves than we do and pursue our real best interests rather than things not actually good for us.

Question 87

Why did Falk not think that a person who was taught that she should not lie because if she did others would not trust her would not have been given a moral reason?

Answer 87

Falk thinks that a person who was taught that she should not lie because if she did others would not trust her would not have been given a moral reason because taking a moral point of view moves us beyond self-interested reasons to a concern for the rights and interests of others or to a position that lying is objectionable in itself.

Question 88

The counsels in Benjamin Franklin's Poor Richard's Almanac were examples of how practicing certain virtues was in a person's own best interest. a. True b. False

Answer 88

a. True

Question 89

Psychological egoism is a descriptive theory and ethical egoism is a normative theory. a. True b. False

Answer 89

a. True

Question 90

Ayn Rand held a negative view of altruism. a. True b. False

Answer 90

a. True

Question 91

Psychological egoism is a theory that holds that we each ought to do what is in our own best interest. a. True b. False

Answer 91

b. False

Question 92

To say that something is a normative theory is to say that it tells us what we ought to do. a. True b. False

Answer 92

a. True

Question 93

One form of psychological egoism asserts that we always try do what we think is in our own best interest. a. True b. False

Answer 93

a. True

Question 94

One reason that people don't always do what is best for them is weakness of will. a. True b. False

Answer 94

a. True

Question 95

According to W. D. Falk, one would be given a good moral education if one were taught to Be prudent. a. True b. False

Answer 95

b. False

Question 96

The story of Mr. Lincoln was supposed to illustrate the truth of ethical egoism. a. True b. False

Answer 96

b. False ethical egoism states this

Question 97

Psychological egoism states that all people OUGHT to seek their own self interests.

Answer 97

False

Question 98

Criticisms of the argument from satisfaction state that it confuses a CONSEQUENCE of action (satisfaction experienced) with the PURPOSE of the action (to help someone in need).

Answer 98

True

Question 99

The view that all people OUGHT to seek their own self-interests is called ethical egoism.

Answer 99

True

Question 100

The Argument from Self-Deception says that although we think we do things for others, we are DECEIVING OURSELVES – we are always selfish.

Answer 100

True

Question 101

The Paradox of Hedonism states that the only way to attain happiness is to seek it

Answer 101

False the best way is to “forget it” (or seek something else)

Question 102

Hobbes argues that selfishness is BOTH the cause and solution to societies' problems.

Answer 102

True

Question 103

The Inconsistent Outcomes Argument (“Consistency versus Cohesiveness”) makes the case that, as an ethical egoist, I must both universalize my desire to defeat “Tom” in, say, a competition of some sort, AND, AT THE SAME TIME, universalize that he defeat me

Answer 103

True