CS 142 Ethical Theories Quiz

Questions and Answers

Under what condition is it ethical to share personal information?

When the individual has given their consent (correct)

When the information is assumed to be non-sensitive

When the information is believed to be beneficial for the individual

When the data collector wishes to increase their database

Which situation does NOT justify sharing personal information?

When it is necessary for a specific purpose

When it is unnecessary (correct)

When it is in the public interest

When it is legally required

Which ethical principle emphasizes the impact of actions on overall happiness?

Ethical relativism

Principle of autonomy

Utilitarianism (correct)

Deontological ethics

What is a potential risk of sharing personal data without consent?

Eroding individuals' privacy and autonomy Signup and view all the answers

When is it ethically acceptable to consider data sharing in a public interest scenario?

When the potential benefits outweigh the risks to privacy Signup and view all the answers

What defines an ethical dilemma?

A situation where a person must choose between two unappealing courses of action. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes deontology?

An approach that emphasizes moral rules and duties. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about ethics is accurate?

Ethics deals with moral principles and what is right and wrong. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three key approaches to ethical decision-making mentioned?

Consequentialism, deontology, and virtue ethics. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of ethical dilemmas in computing, which of the following scenarios illustrates a data privacy issue?

Deciding whether to collect user data without their consent. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of ethical decision-making does consequentialism emphasize?

The outcomes or consequences of actions taken. Signup and view all the answers

Which ethical principle would most likely guide someone using virtue ethics in decision-making?

Cultivating personal traits that align with moral excellence. Signup and view all the answers

Which branch of ethics deals with the relationship between actions and their moral outcomes?

Consequentialism. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential negative consequence of content moderation by social media platforms?

Suppression of dissenting voices Signup and view all the answers

From a moral perspective, what is a primary concern regarding the use of algorithms for content moderation?

Potential bias in the decision-making Signup and view all the answers

How might the removal of harmful content be viewed from the values perspective?

As a means of protecting vulnerable individuals Signup and view all the answers

What dilemma arises from the balance between content moderation and individual rights?

The conflict between free speech and safety Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following represents a values-based argument against content removal?

Censorship can lead to a slippery slope Signup and view all the answers

What best describes an ethical principle?

A moral guideline that assists in determining right or wrong. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of consequentialism?

It judges actions based on their outcomes. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant challenge in constructing ethical principles?

Different methodologies lead to disagreements. Signup and view all the answers

Which form of ethics evaluates actions based on their utility for overall happiness?

Utilitarianism Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best reflects deontological ethics?

It is based on adhering to duties and rules. Signup and view all the answers

What does cultural relativism propose about ethical principles?

Moral principles vary significantly across different cultures. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'virtue ethics' primarily focus on?

The inherent character and virtues of the individual acting. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common criticism of principle-based ethics?

It disregards individual circumstances in decision-making. Signup and view all the answers

What is a fundamental principle of consequentialism as it relates to ethical decision-making?

Evaluating actions by predicting their outcomes and benefits. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a potential issue with utilitarianism?

It can lead to more suffering than intended due to inaccurate predictions. Signup and view all the answers

In deontological ethics, which of the following is considered paramount for determining morality?

The adherence to moral rules and duties. Signup and view all the answers

According to Immanuel Kant's deontological rules, what is a critical aspect of moral action?

Ensuring that all actions can be universally agreed upon. Signup and view all the answers

Which principle is NOT part of Kant's rules for moral actions?

Always prioritize consequences over rules. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best characterizes the difference between consequentialism and deontology?

Consequentialism emphasizes outcomes, whereas deontology emphasizes adherence to moral duties. Signup and view all the answers

What does the deontological approach suggest regarding the treatment of individuals?

Everyone should be treated as ends in themselves. Signup and view all the answers

Which ethical dilemma is most often associated with the consequentialist approach?

Deciding whether an action results in the greatest overall happiness. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Introduction to Ethical Theories

Ethics refers to moral principles that define right from wrong, good from bad, and fair from unfair actions.
Ethical dilemmas arise when choices must be made between two unappealing actions, requiring a moral judgment beyond practical goals.

Key Concepts

An ethical principle is a guideline for determining right or wrong in specific circumstances, prompting individuals to act morally.
Recognizing ethical principles can be challenging due to the lack of clear methods for their construction.

Branches of Ethics

Consequentialism: Morality determined by the outcomes of actions.
Deontology: Focuses on moral rules and duties irrespective of consequences.
Virtue Ethics: Emphasizes character and virtues over rules or outcomes.
Additional branches include Care Ethics, Principle-based Ethics, Religious Ethics, Natural Law, and Cultural Relativism.

Consequentialism

Moral worth of an action is based on its consequences, with Utilitarianism being a common form that seeks the greatest overall happiness.
Potential issues include miscalculating consequences and moral dilemmas regarding whose happiness to consider.

Deontology

Emphasizes duty-based ethics, asserting that actions must follow moral rules regardless of outcomes.
Immanuel Kant’s principles stress treating others with respect, adhering to universally accepted rules, and empowering individuals to make their own choices.

Ethical Dilemmas in Computing

Data Privacy: Dilemmas involve determining when to share or withhold personal information based on consent, legality, sensitivity, and potential harm.
Balancing benefits of data usage against risks to privacy and autonomy is crucial.

Ethical Principles

Common ethical principles include honesty, fairness, responsibility, and respect for others.
Discussions around these principles often highlight their applicability and potential contradictions in various scenarios.

Values and Morality in Online Content

The removal of harmful content aims to protect vulnerable groups, yet can infringe on free speech and individual rights.
Questions arise about the accountability of platforms for content moderation and the morality of algorithm-based decisions, with concerns over censorship and bias.

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Description

Test your understanding of key ethical concepts and decision-making approaches covered in CS 142. This quiz will challenge you on definitions of ethics, ethical dilemmas, and the principles that guide ethical decisions, including consequentialism, deontology, and virtue ethics.