Ethical Dilemmas & Moral Theories Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What defines a dilemma?

  • A situation where neither choice is better than the other (correct)
  • A forced decision resulting from external pressure
  • A choice between right and wrong
  • A situation where both options are equally favorable

What does Divine Command Theory assert?

  • Individuals are the sole authority on morality
  • Moral principles are universal and unchanging
  • Right and wrong are defined by societal norms
  • Moral conduct is determined by God's commands (correct)

According to Relativism, what is necessary to determine whether an action is right or wrong?

  • Advice from authority figures
  • A strict moral code
  • Cultural beliefs and traditions
  • The context of the situation (correct)

What did William Paley compare the universe to in his Design Argument?

<p>A watch that requires a designer (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the main finding of Milgram's Shock Experiment?

<p>Majority of participants are willing to harm others under authority (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the principle of Situation Ethics?

<p>The most loving consequences dictate moral choices (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do absolutists believe about moral principles?

<p>They remain constant and unchanging (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered an influence on our decisions?

<p>Chance (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the pro-choice perspective primarily emphasize regarding abortion?

<p>A woman has the right to choose. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common reasoning used by those in favor of legalizing abortion?

<p>It prevents unsafe backstreet abortions. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement reflects the 'sanctity of life' belief?

<p>Life is precious and should be protected at all stages. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the scientific perspective, when does personhood begin?

<p>At conception. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant consequence of backstreet abortions?

<p>They can result in severe health complications. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential ethical concern regarding designer babies?

<p>They could create social inequalities. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which religious perspective supports the belief that life is valuable at all stages?

<p>Islam commands the protection of life. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the legalization of abortion in the UK affect abortion rates?

<p>The rate of unsafe abortions decreased. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What concern is raised regarding the practice of 'sex selection' in abortion?

<p>It can lead to devaluation of life based on gender. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following summarizes a pro-choice view on unwanted pregnancies?

<p>Quality of life should take precedence over life. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key argument against legalizing designer babies?

<p>They risk altering human genetic identity. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of pro-life beliefs, what does the term 'sanctity of life' imply?

<p>Life is sacred and should not be violated. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a potential benefit of designer babies, according to proponents?

<p>They can eliminate diseases and improve quality of life. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of absolutism?

<p>Some actions are inherently right or wrong. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes Divine Command Theory?

<p>It asserts that actions are right only if they align with God's commands. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a criticism of Situation Ethics?

<p>It allows for individual interpretations of love leading to moral ambiguity. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'personhood' refer to in the context of abortion?

<p>The recognition of an individual as a person. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to proponents of the pro-life stance, when does life begin?

<p>At fertilization. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one advantage of Divine Command Theory?

<p>It eliminates confusion in moral decision making. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main idea behind Situation Ethics?

<p>Love should be the guiding principle in moral decisions. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best exemplifies the slippery slope argument?

<p>A small allowance of change could lead to larger immoral actions. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which is a commonly cited negative aspect of Divine Command Theory?

<p>It lacks authority as God does not communicate directly. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Agape Love specifically refer to?

<p>An unconditional and selfless form of love. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of abortion, what is meant by 'viability'?

<p>The ability of a foetus to live outside the womb. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary belief of relativists regarding moral actions?

<p>Each situation can change what is considered moral. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which biblical principle emphasizes God's compassion?

<p>Omnibenevolence (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Dilemma

A situation where you have two choices, and neither is clearly better than the other.

Obey

To follow instructions, even if you don't agree with them.

Relativism

The belief that right and wrong depend on the situation.

Absolutism

The belief that right and wrong never change, regardless of the situation.

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Divine Command Theory

The idea that what's right and wrong is determined by God's commands.

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Situation Ethics

A theory that says good actions are those that lead to the most loving consequences.

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Agape Love

Equal and unconditional love for everyone, like Jesus showed.

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Milgram's Shock Experiment

The experiment that showed how easily people can be persuaded to obey authority figures, even if it means harming others.

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Viability

The ability of a fetus to survive and develop outside the womb.

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Abortion

The deliberate termination of a pregnancy.

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Embryo

A baby in its first 8 weeks of development.

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Fetus

A baby after 8 weeks until birth.

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Personhood

The status of being recognized as an individual person.

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Designer Babies

Selecting or altering the genetics of a baby before birth.

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Slippery Slope Argument

The argument that a small action can lead to a chain of negative consequences.

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Roe vs Wade

A protest that legalized abortion in the USA in 1973.

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Pro-life

The belief that abortion should be banned because a fetus has the right to life.

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Omnipotence

The ability to do anything.

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Pro-choice

The belief that a woman has the right to choose whether or not she will have an abortion, often based on the idea that a woman has control over her body and decisions.

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Sanctity of Life

The belief that life is sacred and should be protected at all stages, including from conception.

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Scientific Personhood

The belief that personhood begins at conception when the sperm and egg cell combine, resulting in a unique individual organism with its own DNA.

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Quality of Life

The standard of health, finance, comfort and happiness of a person's life.

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Backstreet Abortions

Illegal and unsafe abortions performed by untrained individuals, often with harmful consequences for the woman's health.

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Legalizing Abortion: Prevention of Unsafe Abortions

The argument that legalizing abortion can help prevent unsafe and illegal abortions.

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Legalizing Abortion: Devaluing Life

The argument that legalizing abortion could lead to the devaluation of life, as it might increase the acceptance of abortion for less serious reasons.

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Designer Babies: Against

The argument against designer babies, stating they could reduce quality of life by creating a culture of vanity and potentially leading to the devaluation of life.

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Designer Babies: For

The argument in favor of designer babies, contending that they could potentially prevent serious diseases and disabilities, improving quality of life.

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Designer Babies: Slippery Slope

The idea that allowing designer babies could lead to a slippery slope, where gene selection becomes normalized and ultimately devalues life.

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Designer Babies: Social Inequality

The argument that designer babies could lead to social inequality, where those with certain features are valued more than those without.

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Designer Babies: Playing God

The argument against designer babies, claiming that it disrespects life by altering a baby's features and identity, which should be left to natural processes or higher powers.

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Designer Babies: Respecting Life

The argument for designer babies, asserting that it respects life by aiding and perfecting new life, demonstrating optimism and hope.

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Designer Babies: Improving Humanity

The argument for designer babies, suggesting that eliminating harmful genes could strengthen and improve the human race as a whole.

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Study Notes

Ethical Dilemmas & Moral Theories

  • Dilemma: A situation with two equally undesirable choices.
  • Obey: To follow instructions, even if they conflict with personal desires.
  • Relativism: The belief that morality depends on the context of the situation.
  • Absolutism: The belief that moral principles never change.
  • Divine Command Theory: Right and wrong are determined by God's commands.
  • Situation Ethics: Morality is determined by the most loving outcome in a given situation.
  • Agape Love: Unconditional and selfless love, as exemplified in Christianity.

Ethical Arguments for God's Existence

  • Cosmological Argument (Aquinas): The universe has a cause, and that first cause is God.
  • Design Argument (Paley): The complexity of the universe suggests a designer—God.

Social Psychology Experiment

  • Milgram's Shock Experiment: A study demonstrating obedience to authority, even when harmful actions are involved. Two-thirds of participants obeyed.

Factors Influencing Decisions

  • Law: Legal regulations influence decisions.
  • Friends & Family: Social relationships can influence choices.
  • Religion: Faith-based beliefs often shape decisions.
  • Greed & Selfishness: Personal desires can impact choices.
  • Education: Learning and experiences influence ethical reasoning.

Positions on Obedience to Authority

  • For: Obedience to authority is morally justifiable, as God is the ultimate authority.
  • Against: Authority can lead to harmful actions, and individuals should think critically.

Relativism

  • Moral principles are adaptable to different situations. Actions are not inherently right or wrong without context.

Absolutism

  • Moral principles are unchanging; certain actions remain right or wrong.
  • Emphasizes fairness and clear rules for a well-functioning society.
  • Examples of absolutist views on stealing, lying, and killing.

Divine Command Theory

  • An action is right if God commands it, a theory based on strict obedience.
  • Positives: Clear guidelines, lack of emotional distortion in decision-making, set rules directly from God.
  • Negatives: Potential contradictions in God's commands, difficulty knowing God's will, differing interpretations of those beliefs, issues with outdated commands.

Situation Ethics

  • Morality is solely determined by the most loving consequences of a decision.
  • Positives: Considers specific situations and promotes empathy.
  • Negatives: Difficult to objectively measure the "most loving."

The Abortion Debate

  • UK Abortion Law: Legal up to 24 weeks in certain circumstances (disability, mother’s health).
  • Pro-life: Beliefs that suggest a fetus has a right to life and abortion is morally wrong.
  • Pro-choice: The belief that a woman has the right to choose whether to have an abortion.
  • Personhood: The ethical status of being considered a person.
  • Viability: The ability of a fetus to survive outside the womb.
  • Different perspectives on when personhood begins (e.g., conception vs. birth).
  • Sanctity of Life: The idea that life is sacred and should be protected.
  • Quality of Life: Considerations surrounding the potential difficulties of raising a child with a condition.
  • Backstreet Abortions - illegal unsafe abortions, impacting global abortion rates.
  • Reasons for accessing illegal abortions

Designer Babies:

  • Arguments Against: Concerns about potential quality of life issues, potential for social inequality, manipulation of life (playing God).
  • Arguments For: Potential to prevent serious diseases, enhance human health, and improve overall quality of life.

Scientific & Philosophical Perspectives on Personhood

  • Scientific: Debates on when personhood begins (conception, specific brain development milestones.)

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