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
