Ethics and Moral Philosophy Quiz
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Questions and Answers

Which of the following statements best aligns with objectivism in ethics?

  • Ethical truths exist independently of human opinion or cultural context. (correct)
  • Ethical standards are determined by social norms and cultural practices.
  • Ethical principles are subjective and vary based on individual beliefs.
  • Ethical considerations should be based on personal feelings and preferences.

    • What is the primary focus of normative ethics?

  • Analyzing the psychological reasons behind moral choices.
  • Studying historical changes in moral beliefs.
  • Observing and describing existing moral behaviors.
  • Prescribing and justifying moral principles and rules. (correct)

    • Which ethical view is most associated with the principle that 'the ends justify the means'?

  • Consequentialism (correct)
  • Deontology
  • Virtue ethics
  • Objectivism

    • What is at the core of the 'greatest happiness principle' as defined by Mill?

    <p>Choosing actions that produce the most pleasure for the greatest number (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which context would a consequentialist approach be most directly applicable?

    <p>Analyzing which actions will yield the best overall consequences. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which branch of philosophy explores the nature of reality?

    <p>Metaphysics (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does moral philosophy primarily investigate?

    <p>How we ought to live and act. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Hume's 'is/ought' problem asserts what fundamental idea about facts and morals?

    <p>You cannot logically derive a value statement from solely factual claims. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements best describes a 'prescriptive' statement according to the provided text?

    <p>A statement suggesting what should happen or is morally right. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a core tenet of moral relativism?

    <p>Moral correctness is determined by cultural or societal consensus. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a major objection to moral relativism?

    <p>It struggles to account for ethical advancements and moral critique. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the concept of moral progress relate to moral relativism?

    <p>Moral relativism struggles to justify the concept of ethical advancement. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    An objectivist view of morality would contend that...

    <p>There are universal moral truths that apply across all contexts (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to deontological ethics, what primarily determines the morality of an action?

    <p>The adherence to moral principles, rules or duties. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the core concept of Kant's 'formula of the end in itself'?

    <p>Treat humanity, whether in yourself or others, always as an end and never merely as a means. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a 'maxim' in Kantian deontology?

    <p>A personal plan or rule, describing an action and the reason for doing it. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the content, what is the main problem with Utilitarianism?

    <p>It might permit morally reprehensible treatment if it maximizes good consequences. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does contractarianism derive its moral norms?

    <p>From a contract or mutual agreement. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which concept involves misleading someone about the maxim, so they cannot consent, according to the provided text?

    <p>Deception (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the 'veil of ignorance' used for in the context of distributive justice?

    <p>To obscure personal characteristics when designing societal rules, thus ensuring fairness. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is considered treating someone as a means?

    <p>Using someone as a tool without respecting their dignity. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the problem of 'over-demandingness' as an objection to utilitarianism?

    <p>An individual gives a large sum of money to a charity that helps save an endangered species, at considerable personal financial hardship. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to hedonism, what is the primary factor in determining whether an action is morally right?

    <p>Whether it maximizes pleasure and minimizes pain. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a valid objection to the concept of hedonism, as presented in the text?

    <p>The subjective experience of 'happiness' may not always reflect the true state of affairs or genuine well-being. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is John Stuart Mill's key contribution to utilitarianism with his 'Greatest Happiness Principle'?

    <p>He established that the best action is the one that maximizes happiness for the greatest number of people, and that everybody's happiness counts equally. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What main distinction does Mill draw between 'qualitative' and 'quantitative' pleasures within his utilitarian framework?

    <p>Quantitative pleasures are those that have a higher amount or intensity, while qualitative pleasures are those that are of a higher class or kind. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which scenario best illustrates the problem of 'neglecting individual rights and autonomy' as an objection to utilitarianism?

    <p>A government decides to relocate families to build a freeway that will bring prosperity to a community. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Mill's views on hedonism, what is the relationship between intentions and the moral value of actions?

    <p>Intentions are irrelevant for evaluating an action's moral value. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which objection to utilitarianism focuses on how to measure and compare happiness between different individuals?

    <p>Calculating utility/measuring wellbeing. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of the 'veil of ignorance' in Rawls' theory of justice?

    <p>To prevent biases based on individual circumstances. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Rawls' Difference Principle, when are social and economic inequalities considered acceptable?

    <p>When they benefit the least advantaged members of society. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Rawls' theory of justice, which principle takes precedence over economic and social benefits?

    <p>The Equal Liberty Principle (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main goal of corrective justice?

    <p>To restore balance and compensate the victim. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main point of disagreement between Rawls and Utilitarianism?

    <p>Maximizing total happiness versus ensuring justice for the disadvantaged (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes a retributivist perspective on punishment?

    <p>Punishment is justified as a deserved response to a wrongdoing. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Rawls, which aspect of society is most important when considering the principles of justice?

    <p>The structure of social and political institutions (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a central tenet of luck egalitarianism?

    <p>Justice requires compensating for bad luck and its effects. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How might a government prioritize need-based distributive justice?

    <p>By allocating more resources to healthcare and education for lower-income communities. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Feminist critiques of Rawls' theory primarily highlight what?

    <p>The ignorance of power dynamics related to gender (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key concern of racial justice critiques regarding Rawls' theory?

    <p>It does not adequately address historical and structural racial inequalities (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A consequentialist approach to punishment primarily considers what factor?

    <p>Whether the punishment will deter future wrongdoing by others. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does luck egalitarianism advocate for regarding individuals disadvantaged by factors such as disability or poverty?

    <p>Society should take measures to level the playing field for these individuals. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the core difference between paternalism and the harm principle?

    <p>Paternalism justifies intervention for a person's own good, while the harm principle is only for direct harm to others (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the biggest challenge when applying Mill's harm principle?

    <p>Defining what constitutes harm and considering differences in culture and morality (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Rawls' concept of Political Liberalism entail?

    <p>A system of justice that can be supported by a diverse array of viewpoints (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Philosophy 24 Exam

    • Logic: Valid patterns of inference and the structure of arguments.
    • Epistemology: Knowledge and justified belief.
    • Metaphysics: The nature of reality; what the world is like.
    • Philosophy of Language: Meaning and communication.
    • Aesthetics: Art and beauty.
    • Political Philosophy: Political entities; how we should construct a state.
    • Moral Philosophy/Ethics: How we ought to live; what we ought to do. Deals with normative claims.

    Hume's Is/Ought Problem

    • There's a fundamental gap between what is (facts) and what ought to be (values).
    • You cannot derive an ought from an is; factual information alone cannot logically lead to a moral conclusion.
      • "Is" statements are descriptive (e.g., "People often lie").
      • "Ought" statements are prescriptive (e.g., "People ought to always tell the truth").
    • Hume pointed out that something being a certain way doesn't mean it ought to be that way.

    Relativism vs. Objectivism

    • Relativism: We cannot make any general claims about what is right or wrong.
      • What is right or wrong is culturally and socially specific.
      • There is no objective standard.
    • Objectivism: There are universal moral truths that transcend cultural or individual differences.
      • Ethics are facts that do not change based on what people think.

    Normative vs. Descriptive Ethics

    • Descriptive ethics: Observing and describing how people actually behave and think about morality.
    • Normative ethics: Prescribing what should be done and how people ought to act.

    Consequentialism

    • The view that the consequences of actions matter, and we should maximize good consequences.
    • Example: Cheating is wrong, because it results in negative consequences.
    • Utilitarianism: We should do the greatest good for the greatest number of people.
      • Hedonist version: Maximize total net happiness.
        • Maximize pleasure, minimize pain.
      • Objections: Calculating utility, measuring well-being, impartiality, over-demandingness.

    Hedonism

    • Happiness/pleasure is the only thing that's intrinsically valuable.
    • The moral thing to do is the one that maximizes pleasure (avoiding pain).
    • Intentions don't matter.
    • The most important quality is that it comes from hard work and intellect

    Deontology

    • The most controversial feature of utilitarianism.
    • Permits morally reprehensible treatment (slavery) if it maximizes good consequences.
    • Focuses on the features of an action (is it right or wrong).
    • An action is right if it aligns with moral principles, rules or duties, regardless of consequences (e.g. telling the truth is a duty).
    • Kantian Deontology: Treat humanity as an end, not a means (respect others' dignity).

    Distributive Justice

    • The fair allocation of benefits and burdens in society.
    • Rawls' Theory of Justice:
      • Original position & veil of ignorance: Decide principles of justice from a position of impartiality.
      • Equal Liberty Principle: Everyone should have equal basic freedoms.
      • Difference Principle: Societal and economic inequalities are only justified if they benefit the least advantaged members of society.

    Corrective Justice

    • The person who did something wrong should apologize and do better.
    • Example: If you crash someone's car, you should pay for the damages.
    • Restoring balance: Compensating the victim.
    • Individual responsibility: Acknowledging the wrongdoing and taking responsibility for the actions.
    • Remediation: Fixing the injustice.
    • Compensation: Providing compensation (financial, etc.) for losses.

    Paternalism vs. Harm Principle

    • Paternalism: Limiting or restricting an individual's freedom for their own good.
    • Harm principle: Limiting actions only when they harm others.

    Luck Egalitarianism

    • Justice requires compensating for bad luck that influences outcomes and success:
    • Luck egalitarianism argues that society should level the playing field.

    Critique of Utilitarianism & Rawls

    • Utilitarianism: Rejected by Rawls, due to a focus on maximising happiness vs. fairness and the protection of the least advantaged.
    • Feminist and racial justice critiques of Rawls: Ignore gender and racial inequalities (e.g., power dynamics in family and caregiving).

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    Description

    Test your knowledge on ethical theories and concepts with this quiz on objectivism, consequentialism, and moral relativism. Explore the fundamentals of normative ethics and the various approaches to moral dilemmas. Challenge yourself with questions regarding key philosophers and their contributions to moral philosophy.

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