Utilitarianism, Deontology & Virtue Ethics

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Which statement best aligns with the core principle of utilitarianism?

Moral actions are those that respect individual rights and freedoms, even if they do not lead to the greatest overall happiness.
The best action is the one that maximizes overall happiness and minimizes suffering for the greatest number of individuals, with each person's happiness equally considered. (correct)
An action's morality is determined by its adherence to established moral rules, regardless of the outcome.
The morality of an action is based on the actor's intentions rather than the consequences of the action.

What is a key challenge or criticism typically raised against utilitarianism?

It is overly concerned with individual rights and freedoms.
It fails to consider the consequences of actions.
It places too much emphasis on intentions rather than outcomes.
It can potentially justify actions that violate individual rights if they lead to a greater overall happiness. (correct)

How does the scenario of 'Forced organ donation' challenge utilitarianism?

It demonstrates how utilitarianism always protects the rights of the individual.
It supports utilitarianism by showing how it always leads to the best outcome for society.
It illustrates a situation where maximizing overall happiness might require violating an individual's autonomy and rights. (correct)
It shows how utilitarianism struggles to quantify happiness accurately.

According to Kant's categorical imperative, which action is morally justifiable?

Respecting the autonomy of every individual, recognizing them as ends in themselves. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a core difference between utilitarianism and deontology?

Utilitarianism judges actions based on their consequences, while deontology focuses on whether actions adhere to moral rules. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How does the 'experience machine' thought experiment challenge the core tenets of utilitarianism?

It suggests that people value more than just happiness, such as genuine experiences and autonomy. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a central challenge in applying deontological ethics to complex real-world scenarios?

Conflicts between different moral rules can arise, leading to difficult choices. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does virtue ethics primarily determine the morality of an action?

By evaluating whether the action aligns with what a virtuous person would do. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements accurately reflects a key aspect of virtue ethics?

Virtue ethics emphasizes the importance of motivation and character in moral decision-making. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant critique of virtue ethics regarding its practical application?

It provides insufficient guidance on how to act in specific moral dilemmas. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How would a deontologist most likely address the ethical dilemma of a conflict between two duties, such as protecting privacy and preventing harm?

Attempt to find a higher-order principle that resolves the conflict between the duties. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which action would be considered ethical under Kant's categorical imperative?

Establishing a business built on fair trade principles, even if it limits profit. (A) Signup and view all the answers

According to virtue ethics, how should a person determine the appropriate course of action in a difficult situation?

Consider what a virtuous person, possessing traits like courage and honesty, would do in that situation. (D) Signup and view all the answers

According to utilitarianism, how should one determine the moral status of an action?

By evaluating the consequences of the action, specifically how much happiness and unhappiness it generates. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following reflects a key challenge or criticism of virtue ethics?

It can be difficult to determine which virtues are most important or how they apply in specific situations. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does virtue ethics address the issue of conflicting virtues, such as altruism versus loyalty?

It emphasizes that the appropriate balance between virtues depends on the specific context and the roles of the individuals involved. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which scenario presents the most significant challenge to the practical application of utilitarianism?

A situation where maximizing overall happiness requires violating the rights of a minority group. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How does the concept of 'moral democracy' relate to the principle of utilitarianism?

Utilitarianism emphasizes the quantity of happiness generated, not necessarily the number of people affected, differing from 'moral democracy'. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a fundamental difference between utilitarianism and deontology in determining the morality of an action?

Utilitarianism considers the consequences of the action, while deontology focuses on adherence to moral rules or duties. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What would be the deontological perspective on the morality of telling a lie, even if it resulted in a positive outcome for everyone involved?

The lie is inherently wrong, as it violates a moral duty to be truthful, regardless of the consequences. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Ethical Theories

Theories attempting to define what makes behavior morally right or wrong.

Utilitarianism

A type of consequentialism where the consequences of an action determine its moral status.

Utilitarianism Principles

Actions are right if they produce the greatest balance of happiness over unhappiness, with each person's happiness counted equally.