PHIL2306 Introduction to Ethics
Exam #1
Question 1
Ethics is the branch of philosophy that studies ___.
the nature of right and wrong, good and bad
principles of correct reasoning
the nature and structure of reality
the nature of beauty
how humans acquire knowledge
Question 2
The “ideal moral judgment” ought to include all of the following, except ___.
conceptual clarity
coolness
rationality
impartiality
economic implications
Question 3
Which of the following is false of normative statements?
Normative statements are indistinguishable from factual statements.
A normative statement expresses a value judgment of some kind.
The correctness of a normative statement is determined by reference to a norm or standard.
An example of such a statement would be: “Affluent nations have a moral duty to assist impoverished nations.”
All of them are true.
Question 4
What are some of the benefits of studying ethics?
Ethics helps us to participate intelligently in today’s ethical debates.
Various professions have professional codes of conduct to which we may be subjected.
We might find ourselves called before an ethics or disciplinary board to give an account of our actions.
All of the above.
None of the above.
Question 5
With which of the following statements about moral expertise would the philosopher C. D. Broad agree?
It is not part of the professional business of moral philosophers to tell people what they ought or ought not to do.
Moral philosophers have no special information not available to the general public about what is right and what is wrong.
They do not have a calling to undertake those hortatory functions which are so adequately performed by clergymen, politicians, and leader-writers.
All of the above.
None of the above.
Question 6
Why does Peter Singer believe that ethicists have moral expertise (and be considered soft experts)?
His general training as a philosopher should make him more than ordinarily competent in argument and in the detection of invalid inferences, such as logical fallacies.
His specific experience in moral philosophy gives him an understanding of moral concepts, such as ethical theories, and of the logic of moral argumentation.
The moral philosopher can, if he wants, think full-time about moral issues, while most other people have some occupation to pursue which interferes with such reflection.
All of the above.
A and C only.
Question 7
According to Peter Singer, what is ethics not about?
It should not only be about a set of prohibitions particularly concerned with sex. There are other important ethical issues to discuss.
It is not an ideal system that is noble in theory but no good in practice.
It is not something intelligible only in the context of religion. It is possible to think critically and responsibly about ethical issues independently of religious consideration.
It is not relative or subjective.
All of the above.
Question 8
Central to morality are moral principles which have five traits. Which of the following is NOT one of those five?
Practicability
Prescriptivity
Economics
Overridingness
Universalizability
Question 9
The word “moral” comes from the Latin meaning ____ and the Greek meaning ____--respectively. Each derives their meaning from the idea of custom.
violation; punishment
mores; ethos
reward; altruism
prison; freedom
blameworthy; guilt
Question 10
Generally there are four domains that evaluate rules of right conduct. Which of the following is NOT one of those four?
Motive
Action
Depravity
Character
Consequences
Question 11
Which of the following statements is/are true about the limitations of religion, law, and etiquette?
Religion rests on authority that some people question.
Every social ill does not have a law and all rules cannot be enforced.
Rules of etiquette do not go to the depth of what is existentially important.
All of the above.
A and C only.
Question 12
According to the Divine Command Theory, whatever the situation, if we do what God wills, then we do the right thing; if we do not do what God wills, then, no matter what the ____, we do wrong.
consequences
political climate
law says
monetary reward
controversy
Question 13
According to the Divine Command Theory, the God-established laws are generally interpreted in a ___ and are often expressed in that religion’s ___, respectively.
crystal ball; tarot cards
cathedral; oral traditions
religious tradition; sacred scriptures
society; religious figures
dream; social outreach programs
Question 14
A divine command theorist would most likely agree with all of the following statements, except ____.
morality is independent of what any individual thinks or likes.
morality is independent of what any society happens to sanction.
God establishes moral laws that are universally binding for all people.
God’s laws are eternally true.
there are no universal ethical principles that are applicable to everyone. Morality is relative to the culture in which one lives.
Question 15
Adi Granth is the sacred scriptures of ____.
Buddhism
Sikhism
Christianity
Islam
Judaism
Question 16
The Avesta is the sacred scriptures of ____.
Christianity
Zoroastrianism
Buddhism
Hinduism
Islam
Question 17
The Dhammapada is the sacred scriptures of ____.
Hinduism
Judaism
Buddhism
Christianity
Islam
Question 18
All of the following texts are of the Baha’i religion, except ____.
Upanishads
The Most Holy Book
The Summons of the Lord of Hosts
Gleanings from the Writings of Bahaullah
The Book of Certitude
Question 19
What is the Euthyphro dilemma?
Is evolution compatible with special creationism?
Who was Cain’s wife?
Is something wrong (or right) because God said so, or is it wrong (or right) for another reason independent of God’s command?
Does God omniscience preclude human free will?
Why would an all-powerful, all-loving God allow evil to occur?
Question 20
The moral argument for God’s existence has traditionally been associated with the German philosopher ____.
Immanuel Kant
Friedrich Nietzsche
Arthur Schopenhauer
David Hume
Rene Descartes
Question 21
Which of the following is an argument supporting the moral argument for God’s existence?
The process of evolution brought about life as we know it.
All sentient creatures are aware of pain.
Prayers are answered all the time.
Life as we know it could not exist if God didn’t exist.
There are certain practices--such as murder, rape, and stealing--that are universally condemned by virtually all societies.
Question 22
Which of the following is an argument against the moral argument for God’s existence?
Moral rules aid in the survival of the species. Those who follow them have a better chance of survival than those who don’t.
There is no explanation as to who created God in the first place.
Morality arose out of human needs and interest as tested by experience.
All of the above.
A and C only.
Question 23
Moral philosophy, in the broad sense, examines general questions of ____.
what is the nature and structure of physical reality
how we can reliably acquire knowledge
beauty
quantum mechanics
how we ought to live
Question 24
According to ____, moral judgments are factual claims about a reality independent of us, claims that we can come to know as true or false.
ethical rationalism
the ideal-spectator approach
contractualism
nihilism
the cultural relativist
Question 25
According to ____, moral judgments are not factual claims at all, but expressions of emotions of approval or disapproval that we have when we consider issues impartially. This approach leads naturally to the doctrine of utilitarianism in ethics.
ethical rationalism
the ideal-spectator approach
nihilism
cultural relativism
contractualism
Question 26
According to ____, the correct moral principles are the ones that would be adopted in an ideal agreement. Immanuel Kant is an important precursor to this approach.
the ideal-spectator approach
cultural relativism
contractualism
nihilism
ethical rationalism
Question 27
The ____ is the only one of Plato's writings that takes the form of a monologue by Socrates, in which he defends himself before the Athenian jury. Plato's purpose seems to be to convey a philosophical memoir of Socrates, one that conveys a sense of his mission and the grave injustice of his conviction. Socrates' mission is, as we have seen somewhat already, to exhort people to the practice of philosophical and moral reflection on their way of life.
Apology
Euthyphro
Crito
Republic
Question 28
Aristocles (not to be confused with Aristotle) got the nickname “Plato” because of his ___.
hairy chest
round stomach
chubby cheeks
broad shoulders
muscular arms
Question 29
What was the name of the school founded by Plato?
Lyceum
Acropolis
Mount Olympus
Vineyard
Academy
Question 30
What prophecy was made of Socrates at the Oracle of Delphi?
That he needs to get a real job.
That he is the wisest of all men, because he was aware of his own ignorance and intellectual limitations.
That he is the most annoying man in Athens.
That he needs to exercise intellectual humility.
That he is a politician’s worst nightmare.
Question 31
With which statement would Socrates agree?
The primary pursuit of material wealth corrupts the soul.
It is a waste of time to examine our lives.
Philosophy does not bring true happiness.
All of the above.
A and C only.
Question 32
If Socrates thought that he was such a valuable member to society, why then did he refuse to enter public service?
He lacked the moral integrity that politicians generally possess in abundance.
He lacked experience in the political arena.
He did not want to be put in a position where he may be tempted to compromise his moral integrity.
He was too old for the job.
He was not technically qualified for political office.
Question 33
When the prosecution warned the jury of Socrates’ speaking eloquence before he had a chance to speak, what logical fallacy is this an example of?
Appeal to Ignorance
Straw Man
False Cause
Against the Person
Poisoning the Well
Question 34
What formal charges that were brought against Socrates at his trial?
Impiety
Evasion of taxes
Corruption of the youth
All of the above.
A and C only.
Question 35
Which of the following statements is FALSE of Socrates?
Socrates was considered a philosophical gadfly to the Athenian people.
During the penalty phase, Socrates suggested that he be declared a civic hero.
He was born and raised in France.
At the trial, Socrates exhorted the jurors against material pursuits.
While in jail, Socrates friends offered to help him escape, but he refused their help.
Question 36
Which philosopher was the tutor of Alexander the Great?
Socrates
Plato
Aristotle
Immanuel Kant
Rene Descartes
Question 37
By what method did Socrates die?
Guillotine
Firing squad
Drowning
Poisonous hemlock
Lethal injection
Question 38
In the Euthyphro dialogue, Socrates and Euthyphro try to determine the nature of ____.
goodness
beauty
piety
justice
fame
Question 39
While it is true that for us piety is usually thought of as a narrowly religious mode of behavior, for the Greeks of Plato's time it had to do with behaving responsibly toward one's ____, and nonreligious as well as religious traditions and institutions.
family
friends
fellow citizens
All of the above.
A and C only.
Question 40
When Socrates meets Euthyphro at the court of Athens, Euthyphro is there to prosecute ___.
his sister for beating a dog to death
his uncle for abusing alcohol
his mother for cheating on her taxes
his child for running away from home
his father for unintentionally killing a murderous hired hand
Question 41
What is Socrates’s response to Euthyphro’s first philosophical account of piety (prosecuting a wrongdoer, regardless of whether he is your father or mother or anyone else)?
The definition is inadequate because it just provides an example, not a definition, of piety.
Sometimes what is dear to some gods is not dear to others, so on this definition the same action could be both pious and impious.
It is going to be useless as a definition, because it will be too hard to tell what all the gods love and what they don't.
Caring for the gods is resolved or analyzed into doing what is dear to them, and thereby taking us in a circle back to a previous definition.
Euthyphro does not answer the question at all, but dodges it.
Question 42
What is Socrates’s response to Euthyphro’s second philosophical account of piety (what is dear to the gods)?
The definition is inadequate because it just provides an example, not a definition, of piety.
Sometimes what is dear to some gods is not dear to others, so on this definition the same action could be both pious and impious.
It is going to be useless as a definition, because it will be too hard to tell what all the gods love and what they don't.
Caring for the gods is resolved or analyzed into doing what is dear to them, and thereby taking us in a circle back to a previous definition.
Euthyphro does not answer the question at all, but dodges it.
Question 43
What is Socrates’s response to Euthyphro’s third philosophical account of piety (what all the gods love)?
The definition is inadequate because it just provides an example, not a definition, of piety.
Sometimes what is dear to some gods is not dear to others, so on this definition the same action could be both pious and impious.
It is going to be useless as a definition, because it will be too hard to tell what all the gods love and what they don't.
Caring for the gods is resolved or analyzed into doing what is dear to them, and thereby taking us in a circle back to a previous definition.
Euthyphro does not answer the question at all, but dodges it.
Question 44
What is Socrates’s response to Euthyphro’s fourth philosophical account of piety (caring for the gods)?
The definition is inadequate because it just provides an example, not a definition, of piety.
Sometimes what is dear to some gods is not dear to others, so on this definition the same action could be both pious and impious.
It is going to be useless as a definition, because it will be too hard to tell what all the gods love and what they don't.
Caring for the gods is resolved or analyzed into doing what is dear to them, and thereby taking us in a circle back to a previous definition.
Euthyphro does not answer the question at all, but dodges it.
Question 45
While Socrates and Euthyphro do not arrive at a definition of piety in the Euthyphro dialogue, the form of the dialogue seems to imply some lessons about moral insight, such as ____.
piety cannot be simply blind loyalty to others.
piety requires taking our way of life and subjecting it to reflective examination, to make sure it is justifiable by the light of our own reason.
Socrates also challenging us to come up with a justification that others could also find acceptable; otherwise, we don't have objectivity.
All of the above.
A and C only.
Question 46
What is the name of the school founded by Aristotle?
Lyceum
Mount Olympus
Vineyard
Acropolis
Academy
PHIL2306 Introduction to Ethics
Exam #2
Question 1
PBS 22nd Century: Who is the author of Brave New World?
Alduous Huxley
James Hughes
Ramez Naam
Charles Darwin
Peter Singer
Question 2
PBS 22nd Century: Orlanda Bell is an astral projection: half ___, half ____.
horse; man
human; machine
zebra; lion
amoeba; paramecium
hardware; software
Question 3
PBS 22nd Century: Erick Ramsey is locked in—which means that he is ____.
dead
kicked out of his parents’ house forever
always getting himself locked in various rooms
an expert locksmith
totally aware of his surroundings, but not able to communicate with the outside world
Question 4
PBS 22nd Century: Erick’s professional ambition is to become a ___.
lawyer
doctor
mathematician
Disney artist
astronomer
Question 5
According to Ramez Naam, the term ___ (as used in science fiction) refers to a person who has technology implanted inside his body; one who is part human and part machine.
zombie
alien
cyborg
demon
robot
Question 6
PBS 22nd Century: According to Ramez Naam, as long as humanity has existed we have always looked for ways to ___.
make ourselves smarter
live longer
You Answered
improve who we are and our environment
Correct Answer
All of the above.
A and C only.
Question 7
PBS 22nd Century: Michael Chorost (who considered himself an early cyborg) received a ___.
cochlear implant
liver transplant
heart transplant
leg amputation
vascetomy
Question 8
PBS 22nd Century: Bill McKibben, a transhumanist critic, mentions which of the following as making us human?
Our commitment to one another.
Love of art, music, and literature.
Our interest in the spiritual and philosophical.
Our ability to fall in love.
All of the above.
Question 9
According to the Harvard psychologist, Howard Gardner, once we “[h]ave reached our adult years, and attained a certain level of competence in our chosen pursuits, ___.”
we can safely assume that life’s lessons will automatically dawn upon us with no further reflection
we should strive to move up, to go up, to achieve, to conquer
we should question what the meaning of life is
we cannot assume that lessons from experience will automatically dawn on us
we should not be bogged down by a mid-life crisis
Question 10
As described by Albert Camus, the main character in the Myth of Sisyphus is ___.
hospitalized for contracting syphilis
praised by the gods for his unadulterated devotion to them
condemned by the gods to roll a boulder up and down a hill
paid a lot of money for working as a forklift driver
delivering a UPS parcel from one place to another for eternity
Question 11
What is the main point of the Sisyphus myth?
Sometimes we can lead monotonous, repetitious lives that's similar to Sisyphus's.
UPS employees get paid a lot of money
Rolling boulders up steep hills is a great form of cardiovascular exercise.
Wise individuals should take protective measures to prevent the contraction of syphilis, which is an STD.
You shouldn't begin construction of a temple unless you've secured a building permit.
Question 12
According to the nihilist (a proponent of the second theory of life's meaning) human life and all that humans produce ___.
are sufficiently significant and enduring to constitute everlasting meaning
are too insignificant and fleeting to be a source of enduring meaning
must only be directed towards the glorification of God
All of the above.
A and C only.
Question 13
What lesson(s) did the author of Ecclesiastes want to impart to his readers?
Earthly goals, as ends in themselves, will lead to much satisfaction and fulfillment in life.
Humans, left to their own machinations, will find life empty, frustrating, and mysterious.
The meaning of life is to disavow God and do what one wants.
Life can have no meaning whatsoever.
All of the above.
Question 14
With which of the following statements would a secular humanist most likely agree?
The humanist’s defense of individual self-determination means that he condones any and all kinds of human conduct.
The secular humanist’s toleration of diverse lifestyle necessarily implies approval.
A humanist would value liberty of thought and conscience as well as the freedom of mind and inquiry.
All of the above.
A and C only.
Question 15
According to Owen Flanagan, we live our lives in the sense that we spend time not ____. And by and large people try to go on, to survive.
dead
dreaming
intoxicated
injured
sleeping
Question 16
Arnold Schwarzenegger: “The meaning of life is not simply to exist, to survive, but to ____.”
run for the U.S. presidency
protect yourself from being terminated
move ahead, to go up, to achieve, to conquer
garner as much accomplishments as one can
live each day as if it were your last
Question 17
Ecclesiastes contains the philosophical and theological reflections of an old man, most of whose life was meaningless because ____.
he did not resist the tempting forces of Satan
he believed that life is what you make of it
he had not himself relied on God
he engaged in numerous illegal activities
he failed to provide for his family
Question 18
With which of the following statements would a secular humanist most likely agree?
We ought not to treat other human beings as mere objects for our own gratification.
The only answer to the meaning of life is to fear God and enjoy one’s lot in life.
We have responsibilities and duties to others.
All of the above.
A and C only.
Question 19
According to the scientific view, which of the following statements is true?
The universe is approximately 13.7 billion years old.
The Earth is approximately 4.5 billion years old.
Our sun will turn into a Red Giant five billion years into the future.
All of the above.
A and C only.
Question 20
With which statement would Thomas Nagel agree?
The time after your death is exactly like the time before you were born.
Biological life begins in this world and ends in this world.
We should make the best of life while we’re here.
All of the above.
A and C only.
Question 21
“For all our conceits about being the center of the universe, we live in a routine planet of a humdrum star stuck away in an obscure corner ... on an unexceptional galaxy which is one of about 100 billion galaxies. ... That is the fundamental fact of the universe we inhabit, and it is very good for us to understand that.”
Olaf Stapledon
Neil deGrasse Tyson
Stephen Jay Gould
Michael Shermer
Carl Sagan
Question 22
According to Susan Wolf, if the assumption that we will all die makes life seem meaningless, how would ____ make the situation any better?
knowing God.
achieving interstellar travel
the opposite assumption (that we will live forever)
live to one hundred years of age
The knowledge of one's death.
Question 23
According to Michael Shermer, which of the following are roads to purpose?
Love and family commitment
Meaningful work and career
Political and social activism
Transcendence and spirituality
All of the above.
Question 24
Which of the following is a step towards a creative mind-set?
Wonderment
Relaxation
Intellectual courage
Motivation
All of the above.
Question 25
Spike Milligan: “All I ask is the chance to prove ____.”
that I am nothing without you
that life is meaningless if it doesn't last forever
whether God exists or not
that I exist
that money can't make me happy
Question 26
Cultural relativism holds that different cultures ____, and that what one culture believes is wrong, another culture may believe is right.
have different moralities
are really not that different
have moral codes that are strikingly similar
will always clash
will always wage war with one another
Question 27
Which of the following would a cultural relativist DISAGREE?
Different societies have different moral codes.
There is no objective standard that can be used to judge one societal code better than another.
There is a “universal truth” in ethics—that is, there are moral truths that hold for all people at all times.
The moral code of our own society has no special status; it is merely one among many.
The moral code of a society determines what is right within that society.
Question 28
How did the Callatian Indians dispose of the flesh of their dead fathers?
They cremated it.
They ate it.
They mummified it.
They froze it.
They threw it out in the ocean.
Question 29
Which of the following is a lesson that the cultural relativists want us to learn?
Many of our cultural practices are merely peculiar to our society.
Some of our ethical sentiments may be a result of our cultural conditioning.
We should show respect and tolerance for different moral views and that our own moral views as well as those of our society may be mistaken.
All of the above.
A and C only.
Question 30
According to the critics of cultural relativism, it is difficult to determine what the beliefs of a society are. That is, how large a majority must ____?
challenge a prevailing belief before it is overthrown
engage in civil disobedience to undermine those beliefs
approve of a belief before teaching it in public schools
disapprove of a belief before it is rejected
hold a belief before it counts as a belief of that society
Question 31
According to the critics, if cultural relativism were true, then it would make no sense to say that the moral standards of one’s society are mistaken since____.
no one knows what those standards are
morality is in the eye of the beholder
by definition, they would define morality
morality only exists in people’s minds
every society has their own unique moral codes
Question 32
According to the critics of cultural relativism, the fact that beliefs about morality differ from one society to another does not imply that ____.
all such beliefs are equally valid
people will behave immorally if given the chance
moral absolutes do not exist
lawlessness will reign
all actions are equally permissible
Question 33
According to the critics of cultural relativism, moral progress within a society wouldn’t make sense. It implies a ____ to measure the progress.
holy scriptural text
yardstick
supernatural being
night light
popularity poll
Question 34
According to the critics of cultural relativism, deeper examinations sometimes reveal that societies share the same underlying moral values, even though their different circumstances ____.
might force them to engage in warfare with one another
requires them to cooperate with one another
lead them to express these values in moral standards that differ on the surface
would belie the fundamental moral fabric that ties the societies together
sometimes force their people to engage in animalistic behaviors
Question 35
____ study the ramifications, promises and potential dangers of the use of science and technology to overcome fundamental human limitations.
Transhumanists
Divine Command Theorists
Virtue Ethicists
Utilitarians
Kantians
Question 36
Transhumanism has its roots in ____.
Utilitarianism
Kantianism
Secular humanism
Divine command theory
Cyclops
Question 37
Which of the following organizations support Transhumanism?
Humanity Plus (World Transhumanist Association)
Future of Humanity Institute
Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technology
Betterhumans
All of the above.
Question 38
Transhumanists range across the entire spectrum of political views, although they tend toward ____.
communism
elistism
civil libertarianism
fascism
socialism
Question 39
Transhumanists foresee the feasibility of redesigning the human condition, including such parameters as ____.
the inevitability of aging
unchosen psychology
limitations on human and artificial intellects
confinement to Earth
All of the above.
Question 40
“Evolution need no longer be a destiny imposed from without; it may conceivably be controlled by man, in accordance with his wisdom and values.”
Theodosius Dobzhansky
Nick Bostrom
Paul Kurtz
Peter Singer
Susan Wolf
Question 41
Transhumanists foresee future advances in ____.
Genetics
Robotics
Information technology
Nanotechnology
All of the above.
Question 42
“The eternal search for meaning and spiritual fulfillment often leaves us susceptible to extraordinary claims and unsubstantiated ideas, particularly in the realms of superstition and the supernatural.”
Theodosius Dobzhansky
Peter Singer
Michael Shermer
Paul Kurtz
Nick Bostrom
Question 43
With which statements would Michael Shermer agree?
Proper diet and sufficient exercise are tried-and-true methods of increasing the length of your life.
Modern medical technologies and sanitation practices have nearly doubled the average lifetime over the past century.
Both A and B.
Neither A nor b.
PHIL2306 Introduction to Ethics
Exam #3
Question 1
In the Colbert Report episode where Peter Singer discussed his views on poverty, what book was featured in that episode?
The Life You Can Save
Ethics in the Real World
Animal Liberation
Practical Ethics
The Ethics of What We Eat
Question 2
Which of the following statements is/are true of John Stuart Mill?
He was born in England.
He was a child prodigy.
He had a mental breakdown in his early 20's.
All of the above.
A and C only.
Question 3
Utilitarianism is especially applicable to ___ decision making, which is what the classical utilitarians originally had in mind.
statutory (pertaining to laws)
religious
social or governmental policies
All of the above.
A and C only.
Question 4
The classical utilitarians were social reformers who lived during the time of the ____ and saw an immense amount of suffering on the part of large numbers of people.
Great Depression
Roaring Twenties
Industrial Revolution
Vietnam War
Civil War
Question 5
In the Colbert Report episode where Peter Singer discussed his views on poverty, which of the following hypothetical scenario did he bring up to advance his argument?
If you ran out of gas on a highway, would you siphon gas from a stranded motorist?
If you were offered two equally-paid jobs in two different cities, which one would you take?
If you’re walking past a pond and see a child drowning, would you jump in and try to save the child?
If money were not a problem, would you still want to work?
If you were the only person on the planet, would you still care about ethics?
Question 6
A supererogatory act is one that ___.
goes above and beyond the call of duty
would be good to do but not wrong not to do
only a Superman-type of person can perform
is publicly acknowledged by society
is condemned by virtually all society
Question 7
Before presenting his arguments regarding world poverty, what assumption does Singer make explicit?
That God exists and He cares for his children.
That sexual issues are the only ethical topics worthy of discussion.
That children are worth saving more than adults.
That evolution will inevitably lead to an X-Men type of species.
That suffering and death from lack of food, shelter, and medical care are bad.
Question 8
Which of the following are characteristics of extreme poverty?
inability to meet basic needs for survival
lack of safe drinking water and sanitation
inability to secure adequate medical care
All of the above.
A and C only.
Question 9
In the Colbert Report episode where Peter Singer discussed his views on animal rights, what book was featured in that episode?
The Way We Eat: Why Our Food Choices Matter
Practical Ethics
Animal Liberation
Ethics in the Real World
The Life You Can Save
Question 10
A speciesist, as defined by Peter Singer, is a person who ___.
tries to save every species on the planet
attempts to annihilate every species on the planet
cares more about the suffering of members of his own species than those of another species
is knowledgeable about biology
believes in the technological superiority of his species over others
Question 11
Brian Leiter (from “Boundaries of the Moral and Legal Community”): “To say that everyone is now thought equal in terms of their entitlement to basic moral consideration means that no one can be treated differently based on their ____ unless there is a further reason beyond simply the fact of having those characteristics for doing so. . . .”
gender
race
ethnicity
All of the above.
A and C only.
Question 12
Brian Leiter (from “Boundaries of the Moral and Legal Community”): “Bentham’s slogan, recall, was that ____.”
it is a dog eat dog world
each counts for one, and not more than one, in the utilitarian calculus
a fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree
life is what you make it
you shouldn’t count your chickens before they hatch
Question 13
Ethical theories attempt to ___ principles that can be employed as guides for making moral decisions and as standards for the evaluation of actions and policies.
articulate and justify
rationalize and defend at all costs
undermine
sanction
replace
Question 14
In a medical context, when would moral questions matter?
When we are the decision makers.
When we must advise those who make the decisions.
When we are on the receiving end of the decisions.
All of the above.
A and C only.
Question 15
“Classical utilitarianism” refers to the utilitarian theory formulated by ___.
Jeremy Bentham
Peter Singer
John Stuart Mill
All of the above.
A and C only.
Question 16
Which of the following statements is/are true of Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill?
They produced identical versions of utilitarianism.
They originally intended for their utilitarian theories to be applied to legislative, governmental, or social policy decision-making.
Only John Stuart Mill’s version has come to be known as “classical utilitarianism.”
All of the above.
A and C only.
Question 17
According to utilitarianism, we should act in such a way ___.
that honors God
that our actions produce the greatest happiness or pleasure for the greatest number of people
that produces the most amount of physical pleasure for us
that does not take consequences into account
that increases the moral sensitivity of our fellow citizens
Question 18
The following is known as the ___: “Those actions are right that produce the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people.”
Substitution Principle
Golden Rule
Greatest Happiness Principle
Principle of Noncontradiction
Virtue Principle
Question 19
How did Jeremy Bentham define happiness?
Pleasure of any kind.
Misery of any duration.
Pain of any magnitude.
Euphoria of any extent.
Loneliness of any length.
Question 20
How did John Stuart Mill define happiness?
Euphoria to any extent.
Loneliness of any length.
Pain of any magnitude.
Misery of any duration.
Pleasure of any kind, but certain pleasures were morally superior to others.
Question 21
Some recent formulations of utilitarianism have rejected the notion that ____, no matter how defined, is the sole intrinsic good that actions or polices must promote.
knowledge
happiness
beauty
love
friendship
Question 22
What alternative concepts have modern-day utilitarians suggested as an intrinsic good that actions or policies should promote?
Knowledge
Love
Liberty
All of the above.
A and C only.
Question 23
Since utilitarianism determines the rightness of actions in terms of their tendency to promote the greatest happiness for the greatest number (i.e., goal-directed), it is considered to be a ___ ethical theory.
deontological
mystical
divine
virtue
teleological
Question 24
Which of the following is a criticism of utilitarianism?
There is no way to be sure that we’ve made the right decision. We are sure to be ignorant of much relevant information.
The consequences might be different from what we originally anticipated.
Utilitarianism is unable to account for obligations engendered by such actions as promising and pledging.
All of the above.
A and C only.
Question 25
At the Center for Auto Safety in Washington, D.C., which of the following requirements are applied to their cadaver-testing program?
Prior consent by the deceased person.
Informed consent of the family.
Assurance that the data sought by the tests cannot be gained from using dummies.
All of the above.
A and C only.
Question 26
Which of the following is a utilitarian justification of the cadaver-tests?
Such testings do not violate any commandments of God.
These tests have resulted in better-designed seat belts, air bags, windshields, and doors.
Such testings are not wrong in and of themselves. They do not violate any principles of morality.
All of the above.
A and C only.
Question 27
According to John Stuart Mill: “The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to ___. His own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant.”
enforce the laws
punish crime
prevent harm to others
reinforce the superiority of society over the individual
defend God's commands
Question 28
What is the harm principle, according to John Stuart Mill?
If you harm me, it’s morally permissible for me to harm you.
It’s never morally permissible to harm anyone under any circumstance.
Critical thinking reduces the harm that arises from stupidity.
Harm others first before they harm you.
It’s morally permissible for me to do anything that doesn’t harm you.
Question 29
Which of the following statements is/are true of the harm principle?
The principle applies to children.
It applies to dictatorial as well as democratic states.
It tolerates all nonconforming behaviors.
Society has a legitimate interest in regulating behaviors that harm other people.
It allows paternalistic laws.
Question 30
Which of the following is a criticism of the harm principle?
The principle leaves no room for karma.
How can we be sure that our actions won’t harm others?
Why do bad things happen to good people?
What if harming others was deemed to be a good thing?
It’s impossible for an atheist to lead a morally virtuous life.
Question 31
The three basic concepts of morality are ____, concerned with right action and just institutions, ____, concerned with ends worth pursuing, and ____, concerned with goodness of character--respectively.
the big; the bad; the ugly
the rich; the poor; the middle class
the holy; the satanic; the secular
the religious; the demonic; the mundane
the right; the good; moral worth
Question 32
Utilitarianism is a consequentialist theory that defines the good as happiness, understood as the net balance of ____.
light over darkness
absolute over relative principles
pleasure over pain
long-term over short-term
good over evil
Question 33
Which of the following is true of the impartial spectator?
An impartial and sympathetic spectator would respond negatively to any pain (no matter whose).
He would approve of those actions, social structures and traits of character which maximizes the net balance of pleasure over pain.
He would respond positively to any pleasure (no matter whose).
All of the above.
A and C only.
Question 34
Which of the following statements is true of the Enlightenment period?
It was a scientific, philosophical and political movement.
It had its origins in the 17th and 18th century in Britain and France.
politically, it was a movement in opposition to aristocratic and feudal privilege.
All of the above.
A and C only.
Question 35
With which of the following statements would a utilitarian most likely DISAGREE?
Utilitarianism supports aristocratic and feudal privilege.
Suffering is bad, no matter whose.
Hunger, pain, and suffering are bad--no matter whose it is.
The advancement of human interests is important, no matter whose interests they are.
Utilitarianism arose as part of a democratic, egalitarian social outlook.
Question 36
According to Jeremy Bentham, pleasure is the only intrinsic good and pain the only intrinsic evil. His version of utilitarianism was attacked as a "____ philosophy," as ignoring the value of "higher" pursuits.
cow
pig
dung beetle
rabbit
squirrel
Question 37
John Stuart Mill: "It is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied; better to be ____ dissatisfied than a fool satisfied. And if the fool, or the pig, are of a different opinion, it is only because they only know their own side of the question.”
Plato
Aristotle
Thomas Aquinas
St. Augustine
Socrates
Question 38
One objection to utilitarianism states that there is not enough ____ to calculate what will produce the greatest happiness before one is required to act.
time
money
data
information
energy
Question 39
According to one objection to utilitarianism, it is asking too much of people for them to be always motivated to promote ____.
their self interest
healthy eating
the general welfare
neutral government policies
their own good
Question 40
Jeremy Bentham said that the idea of ____ was "nonsense on stilts."
divine commandments
happiness
moral principles
consequences
natural rights
Question 41
How can a utilitarian respond to the charge that there is not enough time to calculate what will produce the greatest happiness before one is required to act?
We should apply subordinate principles for everyday decisions; we don't do a direct utilitarian calculation.
We should determine whether the action would violate any of God’s commands.
We should not look at the consequences, but whether the action is right or wrong in itself.
There will always be enough time to make a calculated utilitarian decision.
Time is relative to each person, so one may have more time than he originally thought.
Question 42
How does the utilitarian respond to the following objection: We can never be sure what the consequences of our actions will be, and so we cannot identify for sure the course of action that will have the best consequences?
We should strive to be omniscient (all-knowing).
We are usually more or less confident that an action will or will not have various consequences.
The moral propriety of an action (that is, whether it’s right or wrong) does not depend on the consequences.
The consequences of an action are in God’s hands, so we should pray about it.
This is an objection to which the utilitarian does not have a response.
Question 43
How would the utilitarian respond to the following objection: Morality absolutely forbids certain actions, regardless of the consequences. For example, some say that people have certain rights which ought not to be violated, no matter how good the consequences would be of doing so.
The utilitarian will try to invoke the concept of “natural rights.”
The utilitarian will disregard the concept of rights altogether; it does not fit in the utilitarian calculation.
The utilitarian will try to make room for rights by saying that the consequences of having a system of rights are better than the consequences of not having one.
All of the above.
A and C only.
Question 44
The marginal utility of a resource for a person is the ____.
average price of utility costs for an average consumer in an average city
consequence of maximizing short-term gain
product of intuitive judgments
long-term scarcity of a natural resource
difference in that person's happiness that an additional unit of the resource will make
Question 45
Singer compares speciesism with ____.
racism
dwarfism
sexism
All of the above.
A and C only.
Question 46
At the beginning of his argument on nonhuman animal rights, which of the following assumptions does Singer make?
Pain is bad, and similar amounts of pain are equally bad, no matter whose pain it might be. By “pain” here I would include suffering and distress of all kinds.
Humans are not the only beings capable of feeling pain or of suffering.
We are responsible not only for what we do but also for what we could have prevented.
All of the above.
A and C only.
Question 47
A(n) ____ is a demand for an end to prejudice and discrimination based on an arbitrary characteristic like race or sex.
liberation movement
revolution
tour-de-force
eye opener
epiphany
Question 48
What is the final barrier that the animal liberation movement faces?
Cruelty
Habit
Selfishness
Ego
Compassion
Question 49
Isaac Singer: “They have convinced themselves that man, the worst transgressor of all the species, is the crown of creation. All other creatures were created merely to provide him with food, pelts, to be tormented, exterminated. In relation to them, all people are Nazis; for the animals it is an eternal ____.”
Dachau
Auschwitz
Treblinka
concentration camp
slaughterhouse
Question 50
At the beginning of his argument on poverty, Peter Singer makes what assumption explicit?
That the United States is the world police.
That children are more deserving of our assistance than adults.
That it’s the challenge of ethics to care for people beyond your immediate family.
That suffering and death from lack of food, shelter, and medical care are bad.
That the United States is the wealthiest nation in the world.
