Ethics: Moral Theory
What are the two traditional subdivisions of moral
philosophy?
- subjectivism and cultural relativism
- metaphysics and moral reasoning
- normative ethics and meta-ethics
- divine command theory and natural law theory
Normative ethics and meta-ethics are the two traditional subdivisions of
moral philosophy.
One of the primary purposes of moral theory is
to…
- provide guidance in resolving real-life moral dilemmas.
- verify empirical facts.
- offer support for cultural norms.
- prove the existence of God.
One of the primary purposes of moral theory is to provide guidance in
resolving real-life moral dilemmas.
Opinions are…
- the basis of morality, according to Kant. Therefore, we ought to respect
others' opinions.
- most likely to be found at the level of analysis.
- never true.
- based on feeling rather than reason.
Opinions are based on feeling rather than reason.
When serial killer Craig Price was asked if he thought
that what he had done was wrong he replied: "[Morality] is a private choice."
Which moral theory does Price adopt?
- rights ethics
- natural law ethics
- cultural relativism
- ethical subjectivism
Craig Price adopts the ethical subjectivism moral theory.
You see a laptop computer sitting in the library. No one
is around. You would love to have a laptop but can't afford it. If you were
a cultural relativist you would most likely…
- refrain from taking it because stealing is against the law.
- refrain from taking it because you're afraid you might get caught.
- refrain from taking it because you wouldn't like it if someone stole a
computer from you.
- take it because you feel that stealing is right for you.
If you were a cultural relativist you would most likely refrain from taking
it because stealing is against the law.
Which of the following statements is one most likely to
be heard from someone who is engaged in doublethink?
- "The ends justify the means."
- "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
- "I agree with both sides of the argument."
- "I'll have to rethink this now that you've brought up this new
point."
"I agree with both sides of the argument," is most likely to be heard from
someone who is engaged in doublethink.
What would a cultural relativist most likely think about
the morality of cross-dressing (men dressing women's clothing)?
- It is morally unacceptable because it goes against nature.
- It is morally acceptable if the cross-dresser sincerely believes it is
right for him.
- It is morally unacceptable because most people oppose it as a
perversion.
- It is morally unacceptable because it violates the categorical
imperative.
A cultural relativist would most likely think cross-dressing is morally
unacceptable because most people oppose it as a perversion.
Most American adults base their moral decisions
on…
- their personal feelings.
- universal moral principals.
- hedonism.
- cultural norms and laws.
Most American adults base their moral decisions on cultural norms and
laws.
According to psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg, …
- women are incapable of moral reasoning.
- people at the post-conventional stage of moral development base their
moral decisions on mature care ethics.
- people at the post-conventional stage of moral development base their
moral decisions on universal moral principles.
- people at the post-conventional stage of moral development are dangerous
psychopaths who have no respect for cultural conventions.
According to psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg, people at the post-conventional
stage of moral development base their moral decisions on universal moral
principles.
Sociobiologists such as Edward O. Wilson, would most
likely explain the behavior of a person running into a burning building to
save a child as…
- the unselfish, principled behavior of a person at Kohlberg's
post-conventional stage of moral reasoning.
- selfish behavior oriented toward preserving the gene pool of people like
him.
- other-directed behavior found in people at Gilligan's post-conventional
stage of moral reasoning.
- irrational, sociopathic behavior.
Sociobiologists such as Edward O. Wilson, would most likely explain the
behavior of a person running into a burning building to save a child as
selfish behavior oriented toward preserving the gene pool of people like
him.
If you need help writing your essay, you should ask Mary
Lou. She's a real saint. You can always count on Mary Lou to come through
when someone is in need. Even though she's in danger of flunking out this
semester, she doesn't let that stop her from putting other people's needs
before her own. She'll always drop what she's doing to help anyone. At what
stage of moral development would Gilligan say Mary Lou is?
- conventional
- post-conventional
- pre-conventional
- agape
Gilligan would say Mary Lou is at the conventional stage of moral
development.
Which of the following questions would you be most likely
to hear from someone in the pre-conventional stage of moral reasoning when
they are confronted with a moral issue in their lives?
- "What will others think?"
- "Will you accept responsibility for what happens?"
- "Is someone going to be harmed by my action?"
- "What's in it for me?"
You would be most likely to hear, "What's in it for me?" from someone in
the pre-conventional stage of moral reasoning when they are confronted with a
moral issue in their lives.
According to Stephen Satris, the ethical relativism
espoused by many college students…
- is the result of thinking about the importance of moral theory in their
lives.
- is simply a means of avoiding thinking about moral issues.
- stems from a genuine belief that there are no objective moral
principles.
- shows just how dependent today's college students are on their relatives
for moral guidance.
According to Stephen Satris, the ethical relativism espoused by many
college students is simply a means of avoiding thinking about moral
issues.
Under natural law theory, something is morally right
if…
- it is consistent with reason.
- it is directly commanded by God.
- it is consistent with the laws and customs of a particular society.
- it is consistent with the laws of physics and animal nature.
Under natural law theory, something is morally right if it is consistent
with the laws of physics and animal nature.
According to Aquinas, only this can satisfy humans and
make us happy:
- pursuing our legitimate interests in society
- being a member of the "kingdom of ends"
- pleasure
- God
According to Aquinas, only God can satisfy humans and make us happy.
Which of the following expressions would you be most
likely to hear utilitarians using to justify their actions?
- "To each his own."
- "My country right or wrong."
- "The ends justify the means."
- "It's all relative."
You would be most likely to hear utilitarians using to justify their actions
with the expression, "The ends justify the means."
According to John Stuart Mill, it is better to
be…
- a happy pig than an unhappy human.
- an unhappy pig than a happy slave.
- an unhappy human than a happy pig.
- none of the above. He believed that the pleasures of all sentient beings
are equals.
According to John Stuart Mill, it is better to be an unhappy human than a
happy pig.
In 1995 China passed the Maternal and Infant Health Care
law, which bans marriages between couples "with certain genetic diseases of a
serious nature" unless they agree to sterilization or long-term
contraception. The law also requires doctors to "advise" parents to abort if
they detect an abnormality in the fetus. The state justifies this law as a
measure to "shed some of the economic burden" of caring for disabled people.
This justification is based on which of the following meta-ethical
theories?
- Kantian deontology
- Buddhist ethics
- care ethics
- utilitarianism
This justification is based on Buddhist ethics.
Which of the following theories gives moral consideration
to cats and coyotes as well as humans?
- utilitarianism
- care ethics
- deontology
- natural law ethics
Utilitarianism gives moral consideration to cats and coyotes as well as
humans.
Which of the following, according to Kant, is a
characteristic of moral maxims and duties?
- We know them intuitively
- They are universally binding
- They are relative and vary from culture to culture
- They can be overridden by other moral duties, depending on a particular
cultural context
According to Kant, moral maxims and duties are universally binding.
According to deontologists, autonomous moral
agents…
- rely on their own feelings and opinions, rather than the opinions of
others, in making moral decisions.
- use their reason to discern moral principles.
- uncritically accept moral laws imposed on them by outside
authorities.
- look to God for moral direction.
According to deontologists, autonomous moral agents use their reason to
discern moral principles.
You were up late last night helping a friend who was very
depressed. As a result you didn't have enough time to study for your ethics
test today. You are a good student and plan to go on to medical school next
year and, after that, work in an inner-city clinic. You need to pass ethics
in order to graduate. When you look at the test you realize you will not be
able to pass. However, you notice that you can see the answers for the
student sitting in front of you. She is one of the best students in the
class. Should you copy her answers? What would Kant say?
- Yes, you should copy her answers, if you are pretty sure you won't get
caught, because by graduating and becoming a physician you'll benefit far
more people than by failing the course.
- No, you shouldn't copy the test answers because it's against the school's
rules.
- No, you shouldn't copy the test answers because it is dishonest.
- Yes, although in general you have a duty not to cheat, in this situation
it is morally acceptable because the reason you weren't prepared stems from
your good will and desire to help a friend in need."
Kant would say you should copy her answer: "Although in general you have
a duty not to cheat, in this situation it is morally acceptable because the
reason you weren't prepared stems from your good will and desire to help a
friend in need."
Which of the following prima facie duties would a
utilitarian accept as morally binding?
- reparation
- gratitude
- non-maleficence
- fidelity
A utilitarian would accept non-maleficence as morally binding.
What in the world does John Rawls mean by the "veil of
ignorance?"
- When coming up with principles of justice we should try to ignore our
background.
- People often refuse to analyze moral issues by using ignorance as a type
of resistance.
- We can never discover truths because they are hidden from us by a veil of
ignorance.
- It is ignorant of us to criticize women in other cultures for wearing
veils. After all, it is their custom and the principle of multiculturalism
requires us to respect other cultures' customs.
"Veil of ignorance" means when coming up with principles of justice we
should try to ignore our background.
A moral dilemma occurs when…
- there is a conflict between moral values.
- there is a conflict between the law and doing what is right.
- people are unable to overcome resistance in their thinking.
- a moral issue is straightforward and does not require critical
analysis.
A moral dilemma occurs when there is a conflict between moral values.
According to natural rights ethicists such as John Locke
and Ayn Rand, rights stem from…
- sentience
- human nature
- civil law
- moral duties
According to natural rights ethicists, rights stem from human nature.
A liberty right is the right to…
- live our lives the way we want without interference.
- certain social goods, such as basic health care and housing.
- pursue our interests as long as doing so doesn't interfere with others'
similar interests.
- maximize pleasure and minimize pain for the greatest number
involved.
A liberty right is the right to pursue our interests as long as doing so
doesn't interfere with others' similar interests.
A group of indigenous people of the Amazon rain forest
have protested the takeover of the land their ancestors have occupied for
centuries by Joe Smith, who is clearing the land for timber and to create
pasture for grazing his cattle. Which of the following policies would Locke
most likely endorse regarding who the legitimate owner of the land is?
- The land belongs to Joe Smith because he has cleared it with his own
labor and turned it to profitable use.
- The land belongs to the indigenous people because they have lived there
for centuries without disturbing nature and, hence, are better stewards of
the forest.
- All land belongs to the state rather than private individuals because God
gave humans the land to hold in common.
- No humans should be living in the Amazon rain forest; instead, it should
be kept in a state of nature.
Locke would most likely endorse Joe Smith because he has cleared it with
his own labor and turned it to profitable use.
You are graduating from college and will need to go out
in the world and support yourself. You go to Ayn Rand who is the career
services officer at your college. She would most likely advise you
to…
- move back in with your parents because cultivating strong family ties is
more important than independence.
- become an altruist and fight for better welfare benefits for the
poor.
- figure out what talents you have, then find a
well-paying job where you can best use your talents.
- eat, drink, and be merry because happiness comes from fulfilling your
immediate desires.
She would most likely advise you to figure out what talents you have, then
find a well-paying job where you can best use your talents.
According to Aristotle the natural and proper function of
the virtuous person is…
- the development of empathy for all living beings.
- to discern God's natural law.
- to reason well.
- to develop high self-esteem.
According to Aristotle the natural and proper function of the virtuous
person is to reason well.
According to the Doctrine of the Mean, as put forth by
Confucius and Aristotle,…
- you should say what you mean and mean what you say.
- virtue always entails seeking the middle road between
two vices.
- meanness is the greatest vice and compassion or empathy the greatest
virtue.
- virtue in most cases entails seeking the mean between deficit and
excess.
According to the Doctrine of the Mean, as put forth by Confucius and
Aristotle, virtue always entails seeking the middle road between two
vices.
Your widowed and ailing father needs someone to look
after him. Although he can afford to hire in-home care, he would prefer to
have you, his only child, do it. However, you would rather live on campus.
If you live at home it would mean having to commute to college and missing
out on a lot of campus life. You turn to Confucius for advice. He would
most likely advise you to…
- live at home with your father and commute to school.
- say "no" to your father's demands. It's time for you to become
independent and autonomous.
- calculate the utility of living at home against the utility of living on
campus.
- call Dr. Jack Kevorkian.
Confucius would most likely advise you to live at home with your father and
commute to school.
Care ethists, such as Nel Noddings,…
- emphasize context and relationship over abstract moral
principles.
- regard self-sacrifice as the highest virtue in women.
- claim that people are at their best when they are exercising their
reason.
- think that all men are cads who are incapable of being in caring
relationships.
Care ethists, such as Nel Noddings, emphasize context and relationship
over abstract moral principles.
Which of the following professions would a Buddhist
career counselor be most likely to advise you to avoid?
- philosophy professor
- homemaker
- cattle rancher
- politician
A Buddhist career counselor would most likely advise you to avoid being a
homemaker.
"Nature has placed mankind under the governance of two
sovereign masters, pain and pleasure. It is for them alone to point out what
we ought to do…"
- Jeremy Bentham
- Immanuel Kant
- Nel Noddings
- John Locke
"The source of my obligation is the value I place on
the relatedness of caring. This value itself arrises as a product of actual
caring and being cared for and my reflection on the goodness of these
concrete caring situations."
- Immanuel Kant
- Ayn Rand
- John Locke
- Nel Noddings
"So act as to threat humanity, whether in thine own
person or in that of any other, in every case as an end in itself,
never as a means only."
- John Stuart Mill
- Ayn Rand
- Jeremy Bentham
- Immanuel Kant
"…the light of natural reason, whereby we discern
what is good and what is evil, which is the function of the natural
law, is nothing else than an imprint on us of the Divine light."
- Thomas Aquinas
- Immanuel Kant
- Confucius
- Ayn Rand
"Whosoever, therefore, out of a state of Nature
unite into a community, must be understood to give up all the power
necessary to the ends for which they unite into society to the
majority of the community…"
- Jeremy Bentham
- John Locke
- Confucius
- Thomas Aquinas
"Few creatures would consent to be changed into
any of the lower animals, for a promise of the fullest allowance of
a beast's pleasures…. Whoever supposes that his preference takes
place at a sacrifice of happiness—that the superior being, in
anything like the equal circumstances, is not happier than the
inferior—confound the two very different ideas, of happiness and
content[ment]."
- John Stuart Mill
- Don Premasiri
- Jeremy Bentham
- John Rawls
"The source of all such maladies is the corruption
of the human mind, as rooted in ignorance and confusion…. Our
contemporary situation amply testifies to the fact that, although we
have progressed in material science and technology, there has been no
improvement, but rather a regression, in the moral sphere."
- Ayn Rand
- John Locke
- Don Premasiri
- Nel Noddings
"Those who advocate laissez-faire capitalism are
the only advocates of man's rights."
- Immanuel Kant
- Thomas Aquinas
- Ayn Rand
- Karl Marx
"In justice as fairness the original position of
equality corresponds to the state of nature in the traditional theory
of the social contract."
- Don Premasiri
- John Rawls
- Thomas Aquinas
- Nel Noddings